Service chevrons

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Anthony Kellett

I have just acquired a service dress uniform of a Colonel in the 17th Hussars in WW2. I would like to identify him. There are several candidates, some who served overseas, some who served only in Canada. The uniform has four service chevrons (3 red over one silver) on the right forearm. Were these chevrons worn only/mainly by CASF personnel in Canada?
Thank you

Red/white on the right cuff were overseas, and larger (WW1 style) black/white ones were worn in Canada on the left. About the conscription crisis in 1944 it was decided all troops would get the red ones because there was some animosity towards the home 'zombies' who didn't volunteer for overseas service (or if they did they weren't sent).

[Ed Storey]

There appears to be some confusion with NRMA - National Resources Mobilization Act conscripts and the insignia in which they were permitted to wear on their uniform. Unlike most countries, Canada has always had a difficult time dealing with the concept of national service or conscription and this was particularly evident during the SWW when they were given the derogatory name 'Zombies'. Since the NRMA men were in the Army there was a problem in distinguishing the conscripts from the volunteers especially as the home defence units in Canada contained a number of men who were volunteers but had not be stationed overseas. As part of their terms of service, NRMA men were not required to serve outside of Canada although they did service with distinction on Kiska Island in the Aleutians as this island chain was geographically part of Canada.

It was the General Service or GS badge which was issued for wear (bottom left sleeve) in Canada by volunteers and this badge was removed once the wearer proceeded overseas. Service Chevrons were a means of indicating the length of time a person had in the military. The system originally used white and black inverted chevrons (bottom left sleeve) and was changed mid-war to white and red chevrons (to bottom right sleeve) with white indicating the person had served in the first year of the war with red chevrons indicating each successive year of service. Service chevrons were worn both in Canada and overseas and had no bearing as to whether or not the person wearing them was a volunteer or not.

I hope this helps to alleviate some of the confusion regarding the insignia associated with NRMA men.

[Robin Craig]

I am better informed, thanks Ed.