dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 Forum chums, A Gunner colleague is trying to ascertain the meaning of the “T” trade badge on this RGA Gnr’s sleeve (family connection). As much as it piques my professional pride as an Artilleryman, I couldn’t tell him! No doubt one of the resident experts will know instantly. My guess was a qualification in field telephony - vital for the guns. But it’s exactly that: a guess. With thanks in advance, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 I believe it is Trained Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA) Command Post Assistant / Artillery Systems Operator = the person assisting the officer with firing data computation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, ianjonesncl said: I believe it is Trained Assistant Royal Artillery (TARA) Command Post Assistant / Artillery Systems Operator = the person assisting the officer with firing data computation Hi Ian. I think that post-dates the Great War by some time if I’m honest. The same question has been put to the RA Historical Society and the most plausible answer so far is “Technician”. Also sounds a bit contemporary to me, but there’s pictorial evidence to support it. Given that the RGA were dismissed as “slide rule Gunners” by the more exclusive RHA and RFA before the war, it seems plausible... Edited 2 March , 2021 by dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Typo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) 7 minutes ago, dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co said: Given that the RHA were dismissed as “slide rule Gunners” by the more exclusive RHA and RFA before the war, it seems plausible... I think that should read RGA Edited 2 March , 2021 by ianjonesncl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianjonesncl Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 7 minutes ago, dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co said: Hi Ian. I think that post-dates the Great War by some time if I’m honest. The same question has been put to the RA Historical Society and the most plausible answer so far is “Technician” Doh.....yes TARA must be post WW1 as the RA was split. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) I think you’ll find it was Royal Artillery ‘Telegraphist’ (wireless operator). As I understand it they were specialists in morse code communication with superior skills (words per minute) and used for long range and coastal gunnery. They were the first gunners to use the large radio (wireless) sets. Indeed by 1918 the artillery were equipped with the very latest, cutting edge technology, continuous wave (CW) sets. See section 2: https://www.westernfrontassociation.com/world-war-i-articles/ma-dissertations/the-use-of-wireless-at-the-battle-of-amiens-8-11-august-1918/ Even the formation HQs did not have CW sets, but the artillery (especially heavy artillery) did. Edited 2 March , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2021 32 minutes ago, ianjonesncl said: I think that should read RGA Edited! Thanks Ian. I’ll be excommunicated from the RHA community... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2021 Many thanks Frogsmile - Telephonist or Telegraphist were my “swags”. Given your reference to “...long range and coastal gunnery” that would absolutely fit with the RGA - and may also explain why it’s a trade badge I’d never seen before. May well be specific to the RGA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) 4 minutes ago, dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co said: Many thanks Frogsmile - Telephonist or Telegraphist were my “swags”. Given your reference to “...long range and coastal gunnery” that would absolutely fit with the RGA - and may also explain why it’s a trade badge I’d never seen before. May well be specific to the RGA. Yes, you were bang on the money Dave, right from your initial post. Field Telegraphist indeed. The RGA were as per usual at the cutting edge. Who wins? He who has the biggest guns! The pre war disparaged RGA were to transform the rest of the artillery through their ‘slide rules’ along with the necessary modern communications. Edited 2 March , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) The “scientific application of gunnery” was scorned before the war as being dashed ungentlemanly, but the scientists proved their worth in the end...! Edited 2 March , 2021 by dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co said: The “scientific application of gunnery” was scorned before the war as being dashed ungentlemanly, but the scientists proved their worth in the end...! Absolutely they did! I’ve just read that the badges were specific to the RA (the unidentified caption predates the ID). As seems typical going by other badges there were two cloth patterns, plus gilding metal (one of the two patterns with old English style lettering) that might well be either Canadian or Australian. The BDS badge is not relevant. Image courtesy of the British and Commonwealth Badge Forum. Edited 2 March , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co Posted 2 March , 2021 Author Share Posted 2 March , 2021 Fantastic, thanks again Frogsmile. My colleague also specifically asked me to thank you for the information - so thank you from him too! I asked him about the soldier in the picture, and thought you may be interested in the reply: “The family are delighted to have unravelled the family mystery over the badge! His name was Albert John Kington, a Bristol lad who served right through from 1914; wounded in 1917 but returned to the fight to see the war out and survived - one of the lucky ones. He lived to a good age and passed in 1963.” Ubique quo fas et gloria ducunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 2 March , 2021 Share Posted 2 March , 2021 (edited) 2 hours ago, dave.ib_walker@ntlworld.co said: Fantastic, thanks again Frogsmile. My colleague also specifically asked me to thank you for the information - so thank you from him too! I asked him about the soldier in the picture, and thought you may be interested in the reply: “The family are delighted to have unravelled the family mystery over the badge! His name was Albert John Kington, a Bristol lad who served right through from 1914; wounded in 1917 but returned to the fight to see the war out and survived - one of the lucky ones. He lived to a good age and passed in 1963.” Ubique quo fas et gloria ducunt. Thank you for taking the trouble to let me know Dave. The RA was the first cap badge I ever wore (albeit as a 13-year old cadet) and much later in life I spent 6-months as the BK of 32 (Minden) Bty during a full tour attached to 16 Regiment. I thoroughly enjoyed my time and forever have a soft spot for the Royal Regiment. Edited 2 March , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ororkep Posted 3 March , 2021 Share Posted 3 March , 2021 Dave, Are we talking about Gnr 116934 Albert John Kington? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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