RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: okkool on Saturday 18 November 17 06:11 GMT (UK)
-
My great grandma
I presume the hat badge is the standard WAAC hat badge but what is the significance of the lapel badge?
As well, what rank do the arm stripes indicate?
Thanks okkool
-
The hat badge seems to be for the QMAAC as it appears to have a crown.
The lapel badge is for the Women's Legion
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/topic/245638-qmaac-uniforms-badges-rollestone-camp/
-
Many members of the Womens Legion (lapel badge) transferred into the into the WAAC in Feb 1917 and the WAAC itself was renamed Queen Mary's AAC so this lady could well have been someone who served in all three?? (sources Women in the Great War and QARANC history which has a section on QMAAC)
No result on the badges yet except that the QMAAC didn't have ranks as such sp maybe length of service badges??
MaxD
-
Thank you Tonepad for correcting me on the hat badge and identifying the legion badge. And thank you MaxD for the information sources, you may be right about the multiple organizations. She came from a military family and with her husband at sea and only one child it would seem to be something she would do.
It is too bad most of the QMAAC/WAAC records were lost, I may never know what specific job my great grandma had during this period.
okkool
-
Forgive the rude question - have you searched here http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/womens-army-auxiliary-corps-service-records-1917-1920/ and here
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C4437530
The Women at War book says that the first to transfer from the Legion in 1917 to the WAAC were the cooks and waitresses.
MaxD
-
Yes MaxD, I had checked there. No listings found in either database.
okkool
-
Good evening,
Have had a good look at WAAC uniforms and insignia. They were not allowed to use military ranks and badges.
So they had workers (privates), assistant forewomen (corporal), and forewomen (sergeant). Plus controllers and one other which I can't recall now (two mins later). These were officer equivalents.
Ranks were marked with fluer d lis and flowers such as a rose, I can't find anything on the stripes so MaxD may be correct with his answer.
John915