Overseas Service Chevrons

[Geoff White]

Just a quick query. Was the 1st chevron awarded on he date of being posted overseas or after 12 months overseas service from that date

Thank you

Geoff White

[Chris_Baker]

The former. See https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/tips-for-interpreting-photographs-of-men-in-uniform/whats-that-on-his-sleeve-an-overseas-service-chevron/

[Geoff White]

Thanks for your prompt response Chris. The eligibility criteria reads "the date for the award of the first chevron will be the date the individual left the UK ..." Do I take it literally that the 1st chevron is awarded on that date or 12 months from that date? Sorry to be confused!!!

[Geoff White]

Hi all

Help still required please as I'm still not certain on this. I find the Long Long Trail explanation ambiguous as per my last post.

[Geoff White]

Hi all 

Help still required please as I'm still not certain on this. I find the Long Long Trail explanation ambiguous as per my last post.

[Grovetown]

You were entitled to first chevron immediately upon entry into theatre.

 

Your second chevron would then be awarded following 12 months aggregate (it's not calendar years, and need not be continuous) OS service, with allowance for leave periods.

 

Thus: after 12 months and one day's OS service, you would have two chevrons.

 

Cheers,

 

GT.

[Geoff White]

Sorted!! Excellent- thank you very much for that - appreciated.

[owen4256]

Did service overseas require service in a theatre of operations? On my reading, the Battalions serving overseas on 4th August 1914, for example those recalled to form the 29th Division, would qualify for the red chevron even if they did not enter a theatre of operations until April 1915. Is that correct?
 

Clive

[ForeignGong]

The Australian troops that sailed in the first contingent in 1914 and arrived in Egypt all were given the Red Chevron. 

Was Egypt classed as a Theatre of War, all of them were just training.

[Andrew Upton]

3 hours ago, owen4256 said:

Did service overseas require service in a theatre of operations?...

No:

What's that on his sleeve? An overseas service chevron - The Long, Long Trail (longlongtrail.co.uk)

• the date for the award of the first chevron will be the date the individual left the United Kingdom in the case of those who proceeded from home; and the 5th August 1914 in the case of those serving abroad on that date. In the case of oversea troops the date of leaving their own country, or where employed in local operations, the date of crossing the frontier or that on which they commenced to take part in active operations.

[MARTINRF]

...a bit of detail on the subject...

1053. – Chevrons for Overseas Service – The following order, dated 20^th December 1917, is published for information;-

3. The date for the award of the first chevron will be the date the individual...in the case of Overseas troops, away from their own country...additional chevrons will be awarded for each successive aggregate period of 12 months’ service ... in the case of Overseas troops, away from their own country...

4. The qualifying service for additional chevrons need not be continuous. Periods of absence without leave will be excluded when calculating the 12 month required to qualify for an additional chevron.

6. The chevrons of two colours – red and blue – have been approved. The first chevron, if earned on or before 31^st December, 1914, will be red; if earned on or after 1^st January, 1915, it will be blue...

13. The chevrons are a distinction to be worn on uniform to denote service overseas since the introduction of war, and are not to be regarded as being in the nature of a reward. There will therefore be no posthumous award to deceased officers or soldiers.