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THE SUPPORT ARMS AND SERVICES (1)
No. 65. Royal Corps of Transport
Band Sergeant: No. 1 Dress.
Lance Corporal: Air Despatch, Flying Dress.
Background: Church of St. Michael and St. George, Aldershot.
From a watercolour painting by Douglas N. Anderson.
Postcard No. 65 ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT
In 1794 the first military transport organisation, the Corps of
Waggoners, was raised. The supply and transport services were regularised
and finally brought together in the Army Service Corps in 1888. The prefix
of Royal was granted in 1918. In 1965 the Army's transport requirement
were rationalised and the reshaped Corps was redesignated the Royal Corps
of Transport (RCT).
The shako introduced in 1974 for the RCT Band was unique in the British
Army. It was dark blue with a black embroidered leaf band, gold cords and
a white-over-red wool ball tuft. The tunic was dark blue on which a gold
lace belt with red central light and gold aiguillettes were worn. Nether
garments were strapped overalls with a double white stripe worn over
George boots fitted with steel spurs. Gloves were white.
Units of the RCT, working in conjunction with the RAF, provided crews
trained in aerial supply. The Lance Corporal illustrated was a Despatch
Crew Commander. His helmet was fitted with a sun visor. The
flameproof 'nomex' flying suit was worn over a polo-necked crew
vest. The embroidered Air Despatcher qualification badge was worn on the
left shoulder. The blue patch with gold Dakota presented to qualified air
despatchers was also worn. A sharp knife was carried on the left leg.
In the background the Church of St Michael and St George in Aldershot,
consecrated in 1893 by Queen Victoria, contains memorials of the
predecessors of the Royal Corps of Transport dating from 1882. The RCT was
one of the Forming Corps on the creation of The Royal Logistic Corps in
1993.
Published 1987
Copyright © 1987 Published by Geoff White Ltd.
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