Canadian Military History
Volume 20 Issue 3 Article 5
2011
Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts: The Overseas Chevron Controversy and Canadian Identity in the Great War
Andrew Iarocci
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Recommended Citation Iarocci, Andrew "Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts: The Overseas Chevron Controversy and Canadian Identity in the Great War." Canadian Military History 20, 3 (2011)
This Canadian War Museum is brought to you for free and open access by Scholars Commons @ Laurier. It has been accepted for inclusion in Canadian Military History by an authorized editor of Scholars Commons @ Laurier. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Iarocci: Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts
Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts The Overseas Chevron Controversy and Canadian Identity in the Great War
Andrew Iarocci
he Great War was more than Canadians were killed or wounded auxiliaries who had served overseas Tthree years old by the end of at Vimy between 9 and 14 April.1 for extended periods. 1917 and there was no end in sight. The Dominion of Canada, with fewer In the context of a global conflict From the Allied perspective 1917 than 8 million people, would need to that claimed millions of lives and had been an especially difficult year impose conscription if its forces were changed the geo-political landscape with few hopeful moments. On the to be maintained at fighting strength. of the modern world, it may seem Western Front, French General Robert In the meantime, heavy fighting trifling to devote an article to a Nivelle’s grand plans for victory had continued in Artois throughout simple military badge that did not failed with heavy losses, precipitating the summer of 1917. Further north, appear until late in the war. Yet if widespread mutiny through the British forces launched a major we are to make sense of the First ranks of the French Army. Although offensive in Flanders – remembered World War from the perspectives British forces secured some gains today largely for the gruelling of the ordinary men and women east of Arras in April, including struggle to capture the Passchendaele who lived and died in it, it is the capture of the Vimy Ridge Ridge. Meanwhile, the Russian Army instructive to decode the symbols by the Canadian Corps, the cost disintegrated as revolution engulfed was prohibitive. More than 10,000 the Tsarist Empire. German and Résumé : Les insignes de grade, Austro-Hungarian troops routed the de qualification et de faits d’armes Italians at Caporetto. Three years of peuvent jouer un rôle important, sinon Abstract: Badges of rank, qualification, bloodshed seemed to bring the Allies toujours explicite, dans la culture de and achievement can play significant, no closer to victory. Soldiers and l’institution militaire. À la fin de 1917, if not always explicit, roles in military le British War Office créait une nouvelle culture. In late 1917 the British War civilians grew tired; morale wore récompense militaire, les chevrons Office instituted a new award, overseas thin. décernés pour service outremer de service chevrons, to recognize service Sacrifices from all quarters of toutes les divisions et de tous les grades abroad for all ranks and branches of society between 1914 and 1917 were du Corps expéditionnaire de l’Empire. the Empire’s expeditionary forces. This unprecedented, especially so in the Cet article examine comment, jusqu’en article considers evolving Canadian 1918 et après la guerre, les Canadiens attitudes toward the chevrons British Empire. Millions of British voyaient ces chevrons, qui semblent throughout 1918 and in the postwar subjects had served in uniform. avoir nourri un vif ressentiment, plutôt years. Rather than boost the morale of With little to celebrate in late 1917, que de remonter le moral des troupes rank and file soldiers in the Canadian morale had to be preserved by all du Corps expéditionnaire canadien. Corps, the chevrons appear to have means. It was in this context that the Certains, qui s’étaient retrouvés aux caused much resentment. Some front premières lignes du combat, pensaient liners believed that the award should War Office published Army Order que cette récompense devait faire la somehow distinguish between combat No.4: Chevrons for Service Overseas distinction entre combattants et non- and non-combat service. After the that December. These new awards combattants. Cependant, des vétérans war, however, veterans who had once – small cloth chevrons – were to be qui avaient refusé les chevrons les rejected the chevrons reclaimed them displayed on the sleeves of British réclamèrent après la guerre comme as unique symbols of their long years unique symbole de leurs longues années on the Western Front. Empire servicemen, nurses, and a sur le front Ouest. miscellaneous selection of military
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that represented their individual pins and other pieces of jewellery and collective experiences. Military featuring the chevron motif do exist, insignia, awards, and decorations so there was a market for these are encoded with specific meanings items. Furthermore, veterans by their designers and their wearers. appropriated the chevron Eligibility for a particular badge, “brand” for their service medal, or clasp could legitimize associations, in the form of the recipient in military or the Red Chevron clubs. social circles; ineligibility, This paper examines the on the other hand, might evolution of Canadian set a soldier apart as one attitudes toward the who had somehow fallen chevron policy, within short. the armed forces and As the story of Army on the home front. Order No.4 and its Broadly speaking, ensuing controversy the story of the reveals, designers overseas chevrons (in this case the War underscores the rich Office) and wearers potential of material (soldiers) did not culture evidence for always agree about historical research. the significance of In a more particular military symbols. sense, it reminds us In 1918 the new that ordinary soldiers chevrons were of the First World War intended to bolster did not necessarily morale by granting accept orders or servicemen and regulations without women an easily question, especially recognizable when their identities symbol of personal as soldiers were at sacrifice and duty to stake. wear quite literally on their sleeves. In * * * * * practice, however, he overseas the chevron policy Tservice chevrons seems to have caused introduced in 1918 more problems than measured 1¼-inch wide it solved, until the end and ¼-inch high, and were of the war at least. In to be worn inverted2 on 1918, many Canadian the right forearm of uniform
soldiers refused to Storey W.E. courtesy tunics (but not greatcoats, wear overseas chevrons probably as a measure of economy) on the grounds that the chevrons to suit their new a few inches above the cuff. Under symbol was too broadly circumstances. As civilians, the provisions of Army Order No.4, inclusive. It did not differentiate they reconciled themselves with the anyone in the following categories between the fighting men and those chevrons, possibly because in the was eligible to wear the chevrons: who served in support trades. But this absence of any uniform whatsoever, was not the end of the story. After the the function of the badges as symbols All ranks of the British Army, war, the same men who had possibly of duty and sacrifice was amplified. Special Reserve, and Territorial rejected the chevrons switched roles Veterans were permitted to wear the Force from soldiers to veterans. Freed chevrons on their civilian suits after All ranks of the Royal Marines or from the immediate strictures of the war. It is unclear if this was a the Royal Naval Division military discipline, they adapted the common practice, but chevron lapel All ranks of Dominion forces https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol20/iss3/544 2 Iarocci: Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts
Top right: Corporals of No.3 Company, 1st Machine Gun Battalion, in January 1919. The two men sitting in front have respectively four and three years overseas service. The man sitting at far left in the second row has four years overseas service, while the man sitting to the left of the officer in the second row has three years. Note that the man on the far right of the second row wears
two wound stripes on his left sleeve. Storey) O-3968 (courtesy W.E. There do not appear to be any 1914 veterans in this group, as all of the visible chevrons are blue. Bottom right: A member of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) wears two blue overseas chevrons in 1918. (Members of the Women’s Legion, Voluntary Aid Detachments, and all types of nurses were also eligible for the award.) It appears that this WAAC has had her chevrons embroidered directly onto her sleeve. This was not uncommon in 1918, as some time passed before sew-on chevrons were available for general issue. Opposite: The soldier who wore this 1907 pattern service dress jacket served three years overseas; as such, three blue chevrons are sewn to the sleeve. The absence of a red chevron reveals that the man did not arrive overseas before 1915. A divisional patch for the 2nd Canadian Division is worn at the shoulder.
(Canada, Australia, et cetera) Canadian War Museum CWM 20010018-043 Canadian War All ranks of the Indian Army and Reserve Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service, Army Nursing Service, Territorial Force Nursing Service, and Dominion Nursing Services Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps and Women’s Legion Civilians attached to the British Forces Native and Chinese Labour Corps Voluntary Aid Detachments Red Cross Society, Order of St. John of Jerusalem, and St. Andrew’s Ambulance Association3
The number of chevrons displayed was a function of duration and dates of service overseas. The first chevron was awarded as of the date that an individual left his or her home
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country. In cases where combat awards. If they service occurred on had been, then the War the same landmass as Office would not in the individual’s home the first place have country or territory, the authorized auxiliary or chevron was awarded support personnel such as of the date that as labourers or nurses one crossed a frontier to wear the chevrons. or otherwise joined Nor did the regulations active operations. This suggest that one must provision allowed, serve in close proximity for example, British to enemy forces or other African troops to wear immediate dangers. chevrons although For example, a nurse they may never have on duty at one of the quit their indigenous large base hospitals territory. For British on the French coast Army personnel, was eligible to wear “overseas” was chevrons, although defined as anywhere the chances of coming outside of the United into contact with the Kingdom.4 Thus British enemy were slight. soldiers who never left Given that the chevron the United Kingdom regulations were so were not permitted broadly inclusive, it to wear chevrons, might seem logical to notwithstanding active conclude that just about involvement in the war everyone should have effort at a home station. been satisfied with the Anyone who new badges. In fact, the This February 1918 article from the Manitoba Free Press suggested sailed from their chevrons precipitated that only combat veterans should be entitled to wear overseas home country and/or service chevrons. considerable engaged in operations controversy, especially before 31 December in the Canadian 1914 was eligible to wear one red Twelve-month service periods context. Canadian reaction to the chevron. Additional chevrons, in for blue chevrons did not need to be award – both at home and overseas – blue only, could be added to the continuous. For example, if a man underscores some of the unavoidable red chevron for each twelve-month was wounded and sent to hospital, inconsistencies in the original army period of service after 31 December his recovery time would not be order as well as a sharp distinction in 1914. Those who began their overseas subtracted from his current twelve- Canadian imagination between two service as of 1 January 1915 or later month tally. However, any period types of soldiers: the “real” ones who could wear blue chevrons only. Upon of time during which an individual risked their lives in combat, and the demobilization, Canadian veterans was absent without leave, held in “side-steppers” who wore khaki, but were permitted to display chevrons captivity as a prisoner of war, or sick did not share the high personal risks on their new civilian clothing with “due to avoidable causes” (venereal of combat. permission of the director of records disease or self-inflicted wounds) As early as November 1917, at Militia Headquarters. If authorized would be subtracted from the overall the Colonial Office informed the by the director, a small certificate had tally of months in service. Clearly Government of Canada of the to be carried by the bearer as proof these stipulations were attached to pending introduction of the chevrons of service. Unauthorized display of the order to discourage transgressive under Army Order No.4. In January chevrons was punishable by a $100 behaviour. 1918, the governor-general, the fine – a considerable sum at the time It is evident from the wording Duke of Devonshire, officially laid – or three months in jail.5 of Army Order No.4 that the service the order before Canada’s ministers, chevrons were not intended as who “tacitly concurred” with its https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol20/iss3/546 4 Iarocci: Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts
provisions, apparently without no say whatever in the wording of should ever wear a red chevron giving any special thought to the Army Order No.4, which does not ought to be those officers or men who matter.6 It still remained for Canadian even specifically mention Canadian served in France before 31 December commanders overseas to interpret personnel. Upon learning of Army 1914. This would limit the chevron the order, and re-issue it along Order No.4, Lieutenant-General to the relative handful of survivors with supplementary instructions Sir Richard Turner, VC, GOC who had belonged to the Princess as a Canadian Expeditionary Force Canadian Forces in England, and Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Routine Order (CEFRO), which Lieutenant-General Arthur Currie, (PPCLI) when the regiment first they eventually did, on 1 May 1918 GOC Canadian Corps in France, each arrived in Belgium in the last days (CEFRO 508).7 In the meantime, convened conferences of officers to of 1914.10 In contrast with the early however, Army Order No.4 elicited discuss the chevron regulations, a PPCLI veterans, men of the first much derisive comment. On 20 matter of public knowledge at least as contingent who left Canada before February, the Manitoba Free Press early as mid-February.9 Contrary to 31 December 1914 and reached alleged that Canadian staff officers what the Manitoba Free Press alleged, France with the 1st Division in posted to the Headquarters of the Turner and Currie believed that the 1915 ought to wear a red star in Overseas Military Forces of Canada original wording of Army Order No.4 place of the red chevron, according (OMFC) at Argyll House, in London, was too broad rather than too narrow. to Currie and Turner’s proposed had actually lobbied the War Office The two commanders agreed that amendment. Men in both of these to make Army Order No.4 as broadly some additional distinguishing mark categories would then be awarded inclusive as possible, such that should be added to the chevrons of a blue chevron for each 12-month Canadians who served in England, combatant soldiers, to distinguish period of service. According to the but avoided the battle lines in France, them from others who had not risked proposed Canadian amendments, would get to wear the chevrons: life and limb so directly. Indeed, then, only those who served in Turner and Currie recommended to France or Belgium would wear any Argyle [sic] House is full of men who the War Office as early as December chevrons, with no exceptions. In other never smelt powder; many of them 1917 that the only Canadians who words, Canadians who served in crossed over to England England, but not on the with the “Original These seasoned non-commissioned officers of the 47th Battalion continent, would not be First [Division],” but do not seem to mind having their photograph taken. The sergeant awarded chevrons.11 have never crossed to at centre has four years overseas service, as does the sergeant The War Office France, nevertheless, at right (he also wears a wound stripe). The man at left has three rejected these proposed years service. they desired the amendments, as privilege of wearing they would have set the red chevron, which precedents of special in the British service exceptions for other designated only men dominion forces.12 The who had borne the brunt Canadians, however, at Mons or the Marne.8 were not ready to give up the battle. Walter
The allegations Storey courtesy W.E. Gow, deputy minister were false on all counts. of the OMFC, brought The red chevrons were Canada’s concerns not restricted to British directly to the attention troops who fought of Sir Reginald Brade, in Belgium or France secretary of the War in 1914. Any officer Office. Brade’s response or man whose duty reveals key details carried him beyond about the process of the United Kingdom drafting Army Order that year could wear No.4. Although the War the red chevron, no Office had originally matter his destination hoped to restrict the or arm of service. The chevrons to the sleeves OMFC, moreover, had of fighting troops, this
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was ultimately deemed unfair, since technical or administrative skills that in the Canadian press with respect countless men and women who had demanded their presence in London to the headquarters staff here…to not directly engaged enemy forces in the first place.14 There would be which I am sure you would not give in combat had put their lives at risk little point in sending such rare men encouragement…You will note that in many different ways. What about from the latter category to combat the correspondent of the Manitoba the nurse or Women’s Legion driver duty simply for the sake of doing Free Press at Ottawa is the offending who might be bombed by German so, but this point was lost on many party.”18 aircraft while she served on the lines at a time when operational service Despite Kemp’s various pleas of communication? What about a was held in higher popular esteem for reason – or at least discretion – member of the Labour Corps who than vital administrative duties.15 Canadian newspapers continued died of influenza? With so many to criticize the chevrons. In April, possibilities and special individual the Toronto Star demonstrated near circumstances to consider, it seemed complete ignorance of Army Order better to err toward inclusivity No.4, insisting quite incorrectly that rather than exclusivity. Yes, Brade in the British Army the chevrons admitted, some men had earned their were only worn by men who went chevrons “relatively cheaply.” Yes, to the front (as we have seen, service it might be unfair that a Canadian anywhere outside of the United courtesy W.E. Storey courtesy W.E. officer or Indian Army officer on Kingdom was eligible), but that duty in London would get to wear special exceptions had been made for the chevrons, while a British officer the Canadians: who had never left London would The precise vintage of this lapel pin is not, but the line had to be drawn unknown, but it probably dates from The [Canadian] officer or man who somewhere. Consequently, the War after the war, and was intended for went to England in 1914, and has Office did not wish to amend the wear on civilian clothes. With three been there in an office position order by authorizing special devices blue chevrons, and one red chevron, ever since, will now wear one red it shows four years overseas service to be worn in conjunction with the chevron and four blue ones, while the 13 beginning in 1914. The existence chevrons of combat troops. At the of such pins suggests that veterans [Canadian] officer or man who has same time, Currie’s, Turner’s, and came to accept the chevrons as fought two years in the trenches will Gow’s unsuccessful bids to have the legitimate awards for service. wear but two blue ones, and will look order amended clearly show that like a mere infant in arms alongside Canadian officers were not guilty of Even before the chevron controversy the glorified office hand bedecked “fixing” the regulations so that non- began, frontline soldiers and officers with one red and four blues.19 combatant personnel could wear the imagined the administrative same chevrons as men who fought in echelons in England to be top-heavy, While this scenario was possible the trenches. inefficient, and insensitive to the in theory, there were few, if any, A potentially more damaging ordinary infantryman’s plight at physically fit Canadians working allegation in the Manitoba Free Press the sharp end.16 In the face of much safely at desks in England in 1918 who article of 20 February concerned the gossip surrounding the OMFC, Sir had been there without interruption service records of officers and men Edward Kemp, the overseas minister, since 1914. As we have seen, most on duty at OMFC Headquarters implored Prime Minister Robert on the OMFC staff had already done in London. Contrary to what was Borden to do something about the their bit in France. reported in the article, many men “cowardly propaganda” like that Such inconvenient details did at Argyll House had not only printed by the Manitoba Free Press.17 not interest disgruntled Canadian “smelt powder,” but had also been It appears that Borden avoided the soldiers at the front. As an overseas wounded. Of 76 officers on the OMFC issue in the House of Commons, correspondent observed in a letter to staff in early 1918, 55 had served at but Kemp also shared his concerns the editor of the Manitoba Free Press, the front. Among the 209 other ranks with Sir Clifford Sifton, a supporter considerable numbers of “Original- on staff, 128 had indeed set foot in of Borden’s Union Government, Firsts” – men who had come overseas France or Belgium. For the most and perhaps more significantly, the with the first contingent in 1914 and part, any officers and men at OMFC owner of the Manitoba Free Press. “I survived three years of battle – refused Headquarters who had not seen action thought you might be interested,” to wear the red chevron. According were either medically unfit for active wrote Kemp to Sifton, “that there to the correspondent, “they say there field service, or possessed unique is a campaign of slander going on is no honor attached to it now.”20 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol20/iss3/548 6 Iarocci: Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts
Major Henry Willis O’Connor, a may seem petty, but it was also According to Bristol, there was some veteran of the first contingent and true that the Canadian government confusion over whether the Crown aide-de-camp to Arthur Currie, had been haggling with Canadian or the dominion governments in reflected this very sentiment in Expeditionary Force (CEF) units question should issue the medal, a letter to Major Everett Bristol, throughout the war over who should while none of the concerned parties another veteran of 1914-15, who in bear the cost of regimental cap had yet agreed on a colour scheme 1918 acted as private secretary to Sir and collar badges: the government for the ribbon.26 And if the medal Edward Kemp in London. According or the units. In early 1917, the was to be for Gallipoli service, why to O’Connor, the service chevrons Borden government first decided should it be restricted to men who are “not really of much value now that badges would be provided at left Australia or New Zealand before to the Canadians, as it is very hard the end of 1914? What about men on the men who have been out here who joined up in 1915 and also since the beginning to wear the same served at Gallipoli?27 Negotiations chevrons as a stenographer or some between the British Government and other chap who has side-stepped the ANZACs continued throughout in England for the same period of 1918, only to be abandoned on the time.”21 (In fact, some, if not all of the grounds that other British Empire stenographers employed at OMFC troops who had also served at courtesy W.E. Storey courtesy W.E. Headquarters were civilians.22) In Gallipoli — Newfoundlanders for any event, O’Connor believed that example — might feel cheated if they Canadians who wore the red chevron did not receive a special award of were too easily mistaken for “Mons their own.28 Given all of the discord heroes” by British civilians. Here, surrounding the ANZAC medal, it O’Connor was referring to the “Old is not surprising that the Canadian Contemptibles,” original soldiers government decided not to institute of the British Expeditionary Force a similar award, notwithstanding the who first engaged the German Army costs involved. Like the lapel pin, the vintage of this in Belgium and France in August The decision not to follow through fob is unknown, but probably postwar. 1914, several months before the It shows four years overseas service with a first contingent decoration did 1st Canadian Division had even beginning in 1914. not disqualify further debate vis- reached England in October.23 à-vis special devices that could be Perhaps, O’Connor suggested, public expense, but then reversed added to the overseas chevrons to everyone would be satisfied if the decision, throwing the costs back indicate combat service. Indeed, if Canada instituted a unique award on overseas battalions. Outraged there was to be no first contingent for the men of the first contingent, Canadian officers pressed Perley medal, then the chevron devices but only those who had served at the to ask Ottawa for $25,000 for the seemed that much more justified front. O’Connor had heard that the purchase of enough badges to equip in the eyes of combat veterans. Australians were pursuing a similar the entire CEF, at least for the near While recovering from wounds at a initiative, so why not Canada too? In future. In June 1917, the Committee convalescent hospital in England, a fact, the proposal had first been raised of the Privy Council finally permitted Canadian officer noted in a letter that during Sir George Perley’s tenure the OMFC to spend the money on many officers and men continued to as overseas minister by Captain I.T. collar, cap, and shoulder badges for grumble about the general inclusivity Robertson, an historical officer with all Canadian troops.25 of the chevrons. “If the government,” the Canadian War Records Office. Notwithstanding Perley’s earlier he wrote, “in consultation with the Although Robertson was Perley’s rejection of a special Canadian military authorities over here, were son-in-law, the minister elected not to decoration for 1914 veterans, Bristol to authorize the wearing of some press the issue, as he did not wish to promised O’Connor to revisit the emblem that would indicate the incur the public expense that would question. Bristol discovered that character of service rendered to the be involved with manufacturing the the Australian and New Zealand country and Empire, there are tens decorations at a time when the war governments had decided in principle of thousands of men who would feel was already costing much more than to institute a “Gallipoli Medal” very much better than they do now.”29 anyone would have wished.24 for men who ventured overseas Did literally tens of thousands of men Perley’s rejection of Robertson’s before the end of 1914, but that no worry about the chevrons that much? proposal on the grounds of cost such award had yet been issued. Perhaps not, but there is little doubt
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that these small bits of worsted cloth periodically from France to England Office.37 Understandably, this was weighed heavily on the minds of for courses of instruction were not not a major priority during 1918, many combat veterans. Maclaren permitted to count the duration of when the war hung in the balance, or suggested that a rose bud could by those courses toward their overall 1919, when influenza cut through the worn on the sleeves of men who had chevron eligibility.34 However, ranks of the army and riots erupted served only in England, a fleur-de-lis personnel of the Remount (horses) in the Canadian demobilization for service in France, and an anchor and Army Veterinary Services were camps in Wales. At the same time, for naval service. Additional devices allowed to count time in England the OMFC and other government could be designed for the relatively if their travel there was for the agencies attempted to protect the few Canadians who had served the purpose of conducting animals to sanctity of the chevrons after the war. Mediterranean and Mesopotamia.30 or from France.35 Although war In 1920, for example, P.E. Ritchie, Currie and Turner had already correspondents had not originally the registrar of trade marks from attempted to introduce similar such been eligible for chevrons, this the Patent Office at the Department distinctions as early as December regulation was changed in July of Trade and Commerce, happened 1917, without success. Then, as 1918 to permit accredited press to receive an application from a later, the War Office could not be correspondents with British forces in paint and varnish manufacturer for persuaded to introduce variations the field to display the award.36 a trademark consisting of a single in the chevron scheme to suit every The OMFC had little choice inverted red chevron surmounted British Empire force in a global war but to accept regulations handed by four inverted blue chevrons — that spanned most of the world’s down from the War Office, unless exactly the arrangement of chevrons oceans and continents. There were the Canadian government wished that would grace the sleeve of any too many possibilities to consider to press the matter with the Crown, Original-First who served from 1914 once an exception in style or form through the Colonial through 1919. The paint company’s was permitted. proposed slogan was “the long The War Office service chevron.” Recognizing the did issue a logo for what it was, Ritchie (who string of minor apparently did not serve with the amendments to CEF) wrote to the OMFC: Army Order No.4, but most of these It has occurred to me that as this is fostered greater a representation of a long service inclusivity rather chevron which is an official badge than exclusivity. or decoration for men who have
CWM 19960050-022 In February 1918, had active service in the Great War eligibility was it is improper and misleading that extended to cover such a device should be used for service on hospital commercial purposes as a trade ships.31 In June, mark. I should be glad if you British soldiers who would favour me with your had prior wartime views on the subject.38 service in the Royal Navy were permitted to The OMFC agreed combine this with their wholeheartedly with Ritchie’s months of army service view, noting that for “men for chevron eligibility.32 YMCA officers were not Red Chevron Clubs hosted eligible for chevrons, but annual reunions across ultimately were permitted the country for veterans. This program from 1941 to wear chevrons that commemorates the 26th had been earned during anniversary of the Second military service prior to their Battle of Ypres. enrolment in the YMCA.33 British officers who travelled
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who have seen service overseas these chevrons have a great sentimental value.”39 Despite palpable evidence that some Canadians soldiers, especially the well seasoned Original-Firsts, had refused to wear their chevrons in 1918, it appears that the controversial awards were ultimately accepted as badges of honour. After the war, old soldiers of the 1st Division founded Red Chevron Clubs across Canada. Well into the 1940s and 1950s, Red Chevron members of all ranks gathered at annual dinners to celebrate the anniversary of the Second Battle of Ypres, the first major Library and Archives Canada PA 179408 Canada PA Library and Archives engagement fought by Canadian troops in 1915, and the first significant gas attack of the war. The Edmonton Red Chevron Club published its own journal, The Red Chevron in the 1930s. According to a 1935 issue, the Edmonton chapter was the most active veterans’ association in the city during the postwar years.40 Some local clubs presented annual “Red Chevron Awards” to individuals who had particularly distinguished themselves in wartime. In 1953, the Ottawa chapter honoured the Reverend Gerard Boulanger, a chaplain who spent four years as a civilian internee in Germany alongside Allied prisoners of war, 41 with a Red Chevron Award. The A Canadian officer (left) wears the Second World War service chevrons, while the clubs were also active in the wider soldier (right) wears the GS badge. CANADA titles are visible on each man’s battledress veterans’ community, for example, tunics. These men are members of the 13th Infantry Brigade Group taking part in organizing parades, remembrance Operation Cottage, the invasion of Kiska, summer 1943. The 13th Brigade operated ceremonies, and even sending under American command at Kiska, and was issued with largely American kit. These men wear Canadian battledress and carry Canadian respirators, but their helmets, birthday greetings to old soldiers rucksacks, and field equipment are otherwise of American pattern. The officer is armed and senior commanders; Viscount with an American carbine; the soldier is armed with a Canadian rifle. Montgomery of Alamein received such a note from the Ottawa Red Chevron Club in 1960.42 If the authorized to wear their chevrons no longer permitted to display them Original-Firsts initially rejected the until October 1941 when the practice on their uniforms as of 1922.44 overseas chevrons in 1918, they was discontinued in the Active Army. The 1918 chevron episode was certainly managed to reintegrate However, members of the Veterans not the last time that a seemingly the award into the cultural fabric of Guard of Canada were permitted trivial military badge fostered postwar veteran communities. to wear their Great War chevrons controversy. In 1939 Canadian Great War veterans who until January 1943.43 Interestingly, soldiers who volunteered to serve served with the Canadian forces British soldiers who earned overseas overseas were authorized to wear during the Second World War were chevrons during the Great War were CANADA shoulder titles on each
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sleeve. While the original and significance as the First World War It is a tired cliché that the Great War official purpose of the titles was overseas service chevrons. helped to unify Canadians. The to distinguish Canadian soldiers chevron episode shows how the war from British and Commonwealth * * * * * could also act as a divisive force, even troops who wore otherwise similar he War Office introduced among men who were otherwise battledress uniforms, as of 1940 Toverseas service chevrons in late united by their khaki uniforms and the titles had informally come to 1917 as marks of distinction for men shared status as CEF volunteers. differentiate volunteer (General and women who had spent long The chevron controversy also Service) soldiers from home defence years in the uniform of an empire at shows that the eligibility criteria for troops who were conscripted under war. In simplest terms, these badges military awards were not necessarily the provisions of the National distinguished overseas service from objective or completely rational.49 Resources Mobilization Act (NRMA). home service, with the special red Soldiers already knew that many This distinction disappeared in chevron denoting veterans of 1914. deserving men among them were December 1942 when home defence Perhaps many among the millions never to be recognized with gallantry troops were also authorized to wear of soldiers, nurses, and auxiliaries awards. Perhaps this knowledge made CANADA titles. At the same time, who were authorized to wear the it all the more difficult for combat however, the army introduced small badges paid them little mind. soldiers to accept that almost anyone General Service (GS) badge to be Yet for some soldiers with two or in uniform could wear overseas worn only by volunteers.45 Sewn to three years of frontline service under chevrons. Yet notwithstanding the the left forearm, the badges were their belts, the chevrons were much chevron controversy of 1918, it about the size of a penny, with the more than tokens. They represented seems that most Original-Firsts red letters GS superimposed on a an important aspect of a man’s who survived the war ultimately black background. Just as some First military character: they showed who embraced the symbol, possibly World War soldiers had judged the had volunteered first and who had because they came to realize that War Office regulations with respect followed. Canadian combat veterans, just about every man who reached to the 1918 chevrons to be too broadly especially the survivors of the first England in 1914 had indeed served inclusive, it appears the same may contingent, counted themselves in France or Belgium sooner or later, have been true for volunteer soldiers among a special class. They were if not at the Second Battle of Ypres. in 1942 when the CANADA title was not keen to share their chevrons with For at least four decades after the authorized for wear on home defence others who had not done their bit war, first-contingent veterans greeted uniforms. The GS badge was perhaps at the sharp end. As such, some old each other at Red Chevron banquets, a sort of consolation prize. soldiers were quick to condemn the sharing their stories and perpetuating In late 1942 Canadian military alleged bomb-proofers47 and side- the soldierly culture that helped to authorities reintroduced service steppers who “earned” chevrons carry them through horrific fighting. chevrons, although no such badges while seated at desks in England, or The red chevron was an admittedly were worn at the time in the British at a post somewhere else in the British small token for the men of the first forces. In contrast with the First World Empire, far from the “real” action. contingent, but it was theirs alone, War chevrons, the Second World War Canadian newspapers stoked the and in the long run, that was what Canadian varieties were awarded flames of resentment with inaccurate mattered. for service at home or overseas, but reporting on chevron regulations and were only to be displayed by soldiers OMFC staffing profiles. Although a while they were stationed in Canada. significant proportion of the so-called Notes All ranks of the Active Army and side-steppers had actually been to soldiers called up under the NRMA France, and had even been wounded, 1. See G.W.L. Nicholson, Canadian were eligible. The Second World the fact that front-liners reacted so Expeditionary Force: Official History of the Canadian Army in the First World War War chevrons evolved through two strongly against the broad inclusivity (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1962), p.265. major colour schemes and a series of Army Order No.4 reveals a deeper 2. In the British forces, chevrons as badges of of amendments and regulations for sense of frustration felt by soldiers rank were normally worn on both sleeves 46 about midway between the shoulder and eligibility and wear. They do not in the combat arms, the men who elbow with the apex pointing down. The appear to have assumed anywhere shouldered such a disproportionate overseas service chevrons were worn near the same degree of cultural burden of danger in the Great War.48 inverted (with the apex pointing up), on one sleeve only.
https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol20/iss3/552 10 Iarocci: Side-Steppers and Original-Firsts
3. General Routine Orders, No.124, 2 June as of late 1917. See “The 1914 Star,” The job in the transport section of his unit, a 1918, 4176, file GAQ 11-77, vol. 1847, RG Canadian Military Gazette XXXII, no.23 (26 privilege that elicited much jealousy from 24, Library and Archives Canada (LAC). December 1917), p.13. his mates. See Private H. Durand to Mrs. 4. Army Council Instruction No. 520, 12 May 24. This comes from O’Connor’s letter to Durand, 25 September 1915, New Liskeard 1918, file DHS 12-15, vol. 1764, RG 24. Bristol. Speaker, The Canadian Letters and Images 5. “Men Who Wear Chevrons,” Canadian 25. On the badge controversy, see McRae to Project. Military Gazette XXXIII, no.13, 9 July 1918, Perley, 24 April 1917 and “Report of the 48. Complete turnover statistics for the 10. An example of a Service Chevron Committee of the Privy Council,” 4 June infantry battalions of all four Canadian Certificate is preserved in file 58B 5 1917, file 10-4-13, vol. 69, III-A-1, RG 9, divisions are given in file DHS 11-16, vol. 6.15, Military History Research Centre LAC. 1764, RG 24, LAC. (MHRC), Canadian War Museum 26. Bristol to O’Connor, 21 March 1918, file 49. Echoing the chevron controversy, much (CWM). 10-4-20, LAC. debate followed the war over which 6. Fiset to Gow, 16 Febuary 1918, file 10-4-20, 27. Batterbee to Lawson, 26 March 1918, file veterans were to be awarded “Class A” vol. 69, III-A-1, RG 9, LAC. 10-4-20, LAC. War Service Badges. To be eligible for the 7. Louis E. Grimshaw, “Canadian Army War 28. On the ANZAC medal controversy, see Class A lapel badge, a man was supposed Service Chevrons,” Military Collectors’ Colonel David Chinn, “The Gallipoli to have served in an active theatre of Club of Canada 188 (Spring 1997), p.19. Star,” Sabretache: Journal of the Military operations. Men who served in France 8. “Original Firsts” Entitled to Wear the Red Historical Society of Australia XXXIV (July/ up until 26 June 1919 were allowed to Chevron, Winnipeg Free Press, 20 February September 1993), pp.3-14. wear the badges, even if they had joined 1918. 29. Extract from Maclaren letter, 23 July 1918, their units after 11 November 1918. As 9. “Service Chevrons for Canadians,” file 10-4-20, LAC. such, soldiers who had never heard a shot Canadian Military Gazette XXXIII, no.3 (12 30. Extract from Maclaren letter, 23 July 1918, fired in anger shared the same distinction February 1918), p.12. file 10-4-20, LAC. as combat veterans. See “Class A War 10. Strictly speaking, the PPCLI did not 31. General Routine Orders, no.42, 23 Service Badge,” 3 September 1919, file actually see any direct action until February 1918, p.3444. DHS 12-3, vol.1764, RG 24, LAC. January 1915. The regiment suffered its 32. General Routine Orders, no.133, 12 June first casualties that month in the St. Eloi 1918, p.4260. sector, south of Ypres. See Stephen K. 33. General Routine Orders, no.279, 4 Andrew Iarocci recently completed a Newman, With the Patricia’s in Flanders, December 1918, p.5758. research fellowship at the Canadian War 1914-1918: Then & Now (Saanichton, BC: 34. General Routine Orders, no.145, 27 June Museum, Ottawa, where he also served as Bellewaerde House, 2000), pp.23-24. 1918, p.4380. Collections Manager, Transportation and 11. Currie and Turner to Kemp, 29 December 35. General Routine Orders, no.154, 8 July Artillery. He is the author of Shoestring 1917, file 10-4-20, LAC. 1918, p.5044. Soldiers: The First Canadian Division at War, 12. Memorandum: “War Medals – War 36. General Routine Orders, no.160, 14 July 1914-1915 and co-editor of Vimy Ridge: A Service Chevrons,” 19 April 1919, file 1918, p.4509. Canadian Reassessment. At the moment 10-4-20, LAC. 37. Even as late as 1918, the OMFC continued he is working on a study of Canadian 13. Brade to Gow, 2 March 1918, file 10-4-20, to defer to British regulations and mechanization and transport in the First LAC. conventions in wide ranging affairs. World War. Dr. Iarocci teaches history at 14. Canadian Gazette 1824, “The Chevrons 38. Ritchie to OMFC, Ottawa, 8 April 1920, the University of Western Ontario and the for War Service,” and Memorandum: file 10-4-20, LAC. Royal Military College of Canada. “Slanders Regarding Headquarters Staff 39. Secretary, OMFC to Department of Militia at Argyll House,” 19 March 1918, file 10- and Defence, 12 April 1920, file 10-4-20, 4-20, LAC. LAC. 15. For a comprehensive analysis of attitudes 40. “Club Notes and Comments,” The Red toward administrative officers, see Ian Chevron (April 1935), p.5. Malcolm Brown, British Logistics on the 41. “Presentation of Red Chevron Award, 22 Western Front, 1914-1919 (Westport, April 1953,” 19680139-007, file 58A 1 15.4, Connecticut: Praeger, 1998), pp.17-36. MHRC, CWM. 16. “Criticisms of Overseas Administration,” 42. Montgomery to DeCullough, 20 file 10-14-19, vol. 98 (part 3), III-A-1, RG November 1960, 19740164-013, file 58A 9, LAC. 1 159.17, MHRC, CWM. 17. Kemp to Borden, 20 March 1918, file 10- 43. Grimshaw, p.21. 4-20, LAC. 44. “Wearing of War Badges,” 18 January 18. Kemp to Sifton, 20 March 1918, vol.132, 1923, file DHS 12-3, vol. 1764, RG 24, LAC. IID9, MG 27, LAC. 45. On the CANADA titles and GS badge, 19. “The Chevrons Are Now Up,” Toronto see Doug Townend, “Canadian Army Star, 13 April 1918. Cloth Badges: General Service & Trade 20. “The Red Chevron,” Manitoba Free Press, Badges,” Military Artifact 3, no. 2 (June 15 April 1918. In practice, chevrons 1998), pp.75-77. were not available for general issue 46. For a more detailed discussion of the until the summer of 1918, but in the Second World War chevron regulations meantime, officers and men were allowed and patterns, see Grimshaw, pp.22-24. to privately purchase their chevrons from 47. “Bomb-proof” was a common term that military tailors. soldiers used to describe a safe duty; as 21. O’Connor to Bristol, 15 March 1918, file such, a bomb-proofer was man who had 10-4-20, LAC. secured a relatively safe job, or who made 22. “Return of Staff Employed, OMFC,” file a point of avoiding hazards. Soldiers’ 10-8-3x, vol. 71, III-A-1, RG 9, LAC. correspondence reveals that the term 23. This was something of a specious claim was in use at an early point in the war. on O’Connor’s part, since British veterans For example, Private Herbert Durand, of 1914 were distinguished by the 1914 63263, wrote to his mother in September (Mons) Star, a matter of public knowledge 1915 that he had secured a “bomb-proof”
Published by Scholars Commons @ Laurier, 2011 53 11 Canadian Military History, Vol. 20 [2011], Iss. 3, Art. 5 Fields of Fire Tours Tour Schedule for 2012
Canadian Battlefields of the First World War March 31 - April 14, 2012 This tour will visit all the major Canadian battlefields of the First World War. Ypres, and the battles of the Salient, Vimy and Hill 70, Passchendaele, Amiens and the battles of the 100 days will be on our agenda. Vimy Day commemorations at the restored memorial will be included and we will end the tour in Mons, where the war ended for Canadian troops. A two-day visit to Paris will close out the tour.
Canadian Battlefields of the Italian Campaign – Southern Italy May 5-20, 2012 Following the path of the 1st Canadian Division from Sicily to Ortona, this tour will examine battles of 1943 in Italy. Starting on the beach at Pachino, the group will trace the route of the “Red Patch Devils” through the rugged hills of Sicily, cross the straits of Messina and drive the boot of Italy to the scenes of bitter struggle along the Moro and into Ortona. A stop at Salerno will take in that important battlefield as well. The tour will end with a cultural visit to Rome, where the glories of that ancient civilisation can be explored.
Canadian Battlefields of the Normandy Campaign August 10-21, 2012 The Normandy Campaign was one of the pivotal moments of the Second World War. Our tour will start with a visit to Vimy Ridge, where the newly-restored memorial and interpretive centre await. We will follow this visit with a stop in Dieppe to examine this tragic raid, often cited as a precursor to Juno Beach. We will then start our tour of the Normandy sector ending with the struggle to close the Falaise Gap. A two-day visit to Paris will close out the tour.
Battlefields of the War of 1812 - Niagara October 20-27, 2012 For the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, we will visit all the major battles of the Niagara Peninsula, the key theatre of operations. Queenston, Chippewa, Lundy’s Lane and Stoney Creek will be on the itineray as well visits to Fort Erie and Fort George. The ceremonies commemorating the Battle of Queenston Heights will also be attended. This seven-day tour will be followed in 2013 by further tours to the Kingston and Montreal theatres of operations.
At Fields of Fire Tours we pride ourselves in delivering high-quality individualized tours of the major Canadian Battlefields of the 20th Century. Led by experienced academic historians and military personnel, our tours examine the detail of Canada’s contribution to the Liberation of Europe. Travelling in comfortable 9-passenger minivans, our tours can access sites unavailable to large bus tours. Visits to local cultural sites are always added.
For further information or to book a seat on one of our tours contact Fields of Fire Tours at our website www.foftours.com, by email at [email protected] or by Phone at (613) 539-4660 https://scholars.wlu.ca/cmh/vol20/iss3/554 12