Welsh Journals

Appendix A THE 2nd VOLUNTEER BATTALION K.S.L.I. In August, 1914 patriotic feeling inspired the formation of unofficial volunteer units for military training and home defence. Few of these units wore uniform and the majority were distinguished only by means of button-hole badges; The Shropshire Volunteer Corps" as the Shropshire unit was then known, had as their badge the Arms of Shropshire within a garter bearing the title. The War Office did not encourage these units at first for fear that their activities would interfere with recruiting for the Regular Army, but in a letter of authority dated 19th November 1914 official approval was granted subject to certain stringent conditions, and control was vested in a private body known as The Central Association of Volunteer Training Corps." Among the conditions were three relating to dress:- 1. Uniform was allowed provided it was distinguishable from that of the Regular and Territorial Forces. 2. As a distinctive badge members were allowed to wear a red armlet bearing thereon the letters G.R. in black. 3. The accepted Military Ranks were not to be used. The Central Association therefore designed a special uniform of rain- proof cotton cloth in a green-grey colour and introduced its own badges of Rank and Proficiency. However as units who had already provided their own uniforms were permitted to retain them this dress was by no means universal but the famous brassard was worn by all ranks whether in uniform or not. Members who were returned as efficient were permitted to wear a button-hole badge comprising the head of a Grecian warrior within a belt, inscribed Central Association V.T.C." surmounted by a crown. By 1916 the Shropshire Volunteer Corps' had developed into a Regiment of two battalion strength known as The Shropshire Volunteer Regiment" V.T.C. Their cap badge which was in bronze, consisted of the Arms of the Borough of Shrewsbury, within a collar bearing the words Shropshire Volunteer all upon two scrolls bearing Regiment and V.T.C." respectively, the whole crowned and partly encircled by a wreath of oakleaves. A special cap badge was worn by cadets between the ages of 17 and 18 having the word "Cadets" in place of "Regiment" in the normal badge. The ornate, bronze, shoulder titles were inscribed Shropshire V.T.C." On 19th April, 1916 the War Office authorised the raising of volunteer units under the Act of 1863 ,as amended by the volunteer Acts of 1869, 1895, 1897 and 1900, and by the Regulation of the Forces