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Can anyone tell me or confirm the wearing of the collar flash amongst other ranks during the Great War. Particularly whilst at the front. I have so far not found any definitive evidence or photographs to confirm if this occurred whilst on active service during this period.
I want to make sure my Royal Welsh Fusilier Great War interpretation is correct so any advice will be gratefully received.
Regards
Pete Knight
As far as I am aware, until 1900 it was worn only by Officers, Warrant Officers and Staff-sergeants, but in that year orders were received that it was to be worn on the tunic by all ranks of the Regiment. At the time of the First World War (1914-18) Lord Kitchener suggested that the Flash should not be worn because it was an aiming mark for the enemy. King George V overruled him, stating that the enemy would never see the backs of the Royal Welch Fusiliers!
I'm sure that somebody who is more knowledgeable in the history of the RWF will be able to confirm or correct the above!
Click picture to enlarge
http://www.gtj.org.uk/storage/thumbs/253/25375.jpg
Bob,
What can I say superb picture!!
Never a more true word spoken King George.
Thanks for the information my instincts at least were right in wearing the flash, I will now feel doubly reasured when showing the public.
Kind regards.
Hello Pete,
I forgot to thank you and Graham for the lovely time Pat and I had when I "worked" on Grahams RWF display answering questions of the general public, in the Black Country Museum show.I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for sorting out our meals etcetera. We both had a lovely couple of days. My regards to www city batts, (including The Warwicks and Worcestershires and you I have looked in at our sites that are now linked.
Regards Don
According to Robert Graves in his book " Goodbye to all That". When he joined the regiment in 1914 the Flash was worn by Officers and Warrant Officers. He makes no mention of other ranks. However Regimental Records Vol 3 Appendix x States:
" Permission to Wear the Flash in Service Dress, all ranks, was given on the 13th May 1915, size 5 inches."
Bearing in mind what I have quoted from Regimental Records, I don't think I've ever seen a picture of a ranker wearing the Flash during the Great War.....Anyone give a more definative answer.
Can I also commend Pete and his colleagues for all the work that they do ensuring fallen members of the regiment are properly remembered on war memorials.
I'm sure that the picture is of soldiers of the Royal Welch Fusiliers wearing the Regimental 'Flash', 1914-18. The man in the front row appears to have cheverons on his sleeve
From 1900 The Flash was only supposed to be worn on Full Tunic. In 1915, it was noted in the House of Commons that RWF Officers were now wearing it on Service(working) Dress. The Under Secretary of State for War gave orders that this was to cease forthwith. Six days later, following protests it was announced:
" This matter has been considered, and authority to wear the Flash with Service Dress will be given for the period of the war".
I have looked at a picture of the 2nd Bn Fifes and Drums taken at a Divisional Show on the 18th July 1917, all wearing Khaki uniforms, and none of them are wearing the Flash.
In "The War the Infantry Knew" by Capt J.C. Dunn, he makes mention on Oct 16th 1916, of a Company Cook with the 2nd Bn, who was promoted to Sergeant and then being allowed to wear the Flash on his uniform.
I may be wrong, but I suspect that only Officers, Wo's and Sgts wore the Flash. Of course it may also be the case that different Bn's chose to interpret the order in different ways.
Gents thanks very much for all the interesting information.
It leaves me in a bit of a quandry now though.
Whilst displaying my Great War interpretation to the public I really want to wear the flash. On the occasions that I have worn it amongst other regiments present,being displayed at living history events it provokes much interest from the general public and as a consequence has led me to meet relatives of Great War RWF veterans which is always useful for the research.
However I pride myself on being historically correct whilst in uniform and displaying the artefacts in camp.
I will be wearing the flash at Zonnebeke Belgium next week. If this is historically incorrect as I portray a corporal then I will not wear it. More out of respect than anything else but secondly I would not want the public to be mislead during my discussions.
Any definites would really help. The photograph posted by Bob appears to show other ranks wearing it.:confused: They also strike me as possibly being new recruits. Some are at ease ( the Civvy and back row middle) some to attention and one at the front appears to be a mixture of both any further thoughts?
Regards
Don thanks for the kind words and encouragement. I am arranging a major event for May Day bank holiday 2007 at Whittington Barracks in Staffordshire. I am hoping to attract over 100 Great War re-enactors from all over europe. It would be nice if we could have a display dedicated to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Great War. Dad will be attending and I would like it if you and maybe some comrades interested in this period of RWF history could attend.Quote:
Originally Posted by richard@jungle1810.wanadoo
Speak soon
Best wishes to Pat and yourself.
Regards
Hello Pete,
All things are possible for you Graham & Maureen. I will do all I can to help.
Regards Don