Cambrai tank crew images - cap badges

[delta]

I am trying to confirm what cap badge was being worn by Tank Corps officers and crewmen during the Battle of Cambrai. 

Sadly I can find no pictures of any crew at this time and would be grateful for assistance.

 

The Tank Corps badge was approved in Sep 17 but I cannot work out when it was first worn.  Your help would be gratefully accepted 

[FROGSMILE]

I believe that they were still wearing the cap badge of the Machine Gun Corps (as heavy branch) at that time.

Edited 8 January , 2018 by FROGSMILE

[dgibson150]

This thread contains a photograph taken in late October 1917, of what was concluded to be Number Four Section, 9th Battalion. They all appear to be wearing the MGC Cap badge, except perhaps for Captain Lane. Thread

 

David

[delta]

Thank you both. 

There is a well  known picture of F Bn officers were wearing MGC cap badges in mid Oct 17 during training at Wailly but that is a month before Cambrai.

 

Oddly I have not seen any pictures of crews during battle but am always hoping some will appear.

[max7474]

It's on record at Kew that the RTC cap badge design was approved in 1917 but not issued to the ORs until 1918.  Rather interestingly there was a complaint about the slow issue as ORs badges could be bought commercially before they were issued.  Officers bought their own badges much earlier so you have 1917 photos of the officers badges in use..

Edited 8 January , 2018 by max7474

[delta]

Max

Thank you indeed - that is a most valuable piece of info.

Can you remember where you found this information at Kew? 

Edited 8 January , 2018 by delta

[dgibson150]

The first adverts for Tank Corps cap badges as per the Findmypast newspaper archive were in December 1917. This is consistent with post #5.

 

An example of the advert in a Glasgow paper is attached below.

 

David

[delta]

Thank you David

Interesting that badges were a private purchase item