RFA award of a badge in 1907

[Glenn Warnes]

Hi,

I am just trying to interpret this written abbreviated entry from a Statement of Service for a badge awarded in 1907 to my G-Uncle in the RFA after his return from India.

Any suggestions?? maybe a Gun Layer?? or 1 Gunnery Prize badge??

Thanks in advance

[FROGSMILE]

7 minutes ago, Glenn Warnes said:

Hi,

I am just trying to interpret this written abbreviated entry from a Statement of Service for a badge awarded in 1907 to my G-Uncle in the RFA after his return from India.

Any suggestions?? maybe a Gun Layer?? or 1 Gunnery Prize badge??

Thanks in advance

It’s a good conduct badge (GCB) and simply an inverted cuff stripe worn on the left arm.  It entitled a man to an extra few pennies a day, with the exact amount changing over time in accordance with the Royal Warrant for pay and allowances.  The first badge awarded was for 2-years full-time service without any disciplinary infringements.  The second badge granted at the 5-year point.  Further badges were added at increments with aggregate benefit as service increased to upper limits.

Edited 4 December , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Glenn Warnes]

3 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

It’s a good conduct badge (GCB) and simply an inverted cuff stripe worn on the left arm.  It entitled a man to an extra few pennies a day, with the exact amount changing over time.  The first badge awarded was for 2-years full-time service without any disciplinary infringements.

He was granted that on 14/04/1902 Id (penny). He was tried later and reduced to the ranks in 1907, the second Good Conduct Chevron would have been due in 1906.

[FROGSMILE]

19 minutes ago, Glenn Warnes said:

He was granted that on 14/04/1902 Id (penny). He was tried later and reduced to the ranks in 1907, the second Good Conduct Chevron would have been due in 1906.

It definitely says “g c badge” in cursive script.  That must be his second stripe and you’re just a little out with the date, as the second stripe was for 3-years.  One stripe after two and the second after a further three making a total of five.

The GC badges were worn by the appointment of lance corporal, but not the substantive rank of corporal, when they had to be taken off.  Bear in mind that, unless ‘acting’, Bombardier** was a substantive rank, whereas lance corporal was not.  Substantive NCOs were not usually to wear GCB.

NB.  If a man was in breach he lost any badges in possession, but could re-earn badges by good conduct subsequently.

**at that time one stripe on the upper arm unlike now.  Along with the RE and AOC the artillery (all branches) had an extra substantive rank at the junior NCO level.  For the latter two corps it was ‘second corporal’. 

Edited 4 December , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Glenn Warnes]

Perhaps after being reduced to the ranks from substantive Corporal he was retrospectively re-awarded "1 GC Badge". He was granted Class 1 Service Pay at 5 years (14/04/1905) and elected to come under the 1902 provisions (sec 66) for service pay etc.

[FROGSMILE]

2 minutes ago, Glenn Warnes said:

Perhaps after being reduced to the ranks from substantive Corporal he was retrospectively re-awarded "1 GC Badge". He was granted Class 1 Service Pay at 5 years (14/04/1905) and elected to come under the 1902 provisions (sec 66) for service pay etc.

Yes that seems quite possible.  His promotion sequence would have been gunner, bombardier, corporal, sergeant (had he reached that far).

See also: 

 

Edited 4 December , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Glenn Warnes]

The penalty was reduction to the ranks so he got 1 GC Chevron back but not the Class 1 Service Pay which was awarded after the date of the offence and he was back to Gunner anyway.

My Grand Fathers' Chevrons 1911.

Thanks for the Info.

Glenn

Edited 4 December , 2023 by Glenn Warnes

[FROGSMILE]

1 minute ago, Glenn Warnes said:

The penalty was reduction to the ranks so he got 1 GC Chevron back but not the Class 1 Service Pay which was awarded after the date of the offence and he was back to Gunner anyway.

Thanks for the Info.

Glenn

I’m glad to help.  All the provisions were laid down in the Royal Warrant for Pay and Allowances, some iterations of which are available online.

[FROGSMILE]

1 hour ago, Glenn Warnes said:

The penalty was reduction to the ranks so he got 1 GC Chevron back but not the Class 1 Service Pay which was awarded after the date of the offence and he was back to Gunner anyway.

My Grand Fathers' Chevrons 1911.

Thanks for the Info.

Glenn

In 1907 ranks below sergeant were wearing yellow worsted herringbone tape GCB of a similar hue to the round cord Austrian knots decorating the cuffs.  These did not show on orthochromatic film whereas gilt bullion stripes, as seen on the later tunic below, do.

Edited 4 December , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Glenn Warnes]

Once again, thanks for the information. Glenn