ROYAL CORPS OF TRANSPORT CAP BADGE (FL1)

Royal Corps of Transport Cap Badge 

Guaranteed brand new and in mint condition. 

Brief Corps History

The Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) was a British Army Corps established to manage all matters in relation to the transport of men and material for the Army and wider Defence community. It was formed in 1965 from the transport (land, water and air) and movement control elements of the Royal Army Service Corps and the Royal Engineers, and later in 1993 disbanded to allow its units and trades to be  amalgamated into the Royal Logistic Corps (RLC). The Depot and Training Regiment RCT was at Buller Barracks in Aldershot.

History and scope of the Regiment

Royal Waggoners                          
1794-1795

Royal Waggon Corps
1799-1802

Royal Waggon Train
1802-1833

Land Transport Corps
1855- 1856

Military Train
1856- 1869

Army Service Corps
1869- 1881

Control Department and Army Service Corps
1869- 1875

Commissariat and Transport Department and Army Service Corps
1875 – 1880

Commissariat and Transport Staff and Army Service Corps
1880 - 1881

Commissariat and Transport Corps
1881- 1888

Army Service Corps
1888- 1918

Royal Engineers (transportation)
1916- 1965

Royal Army Service Corps
1918- 1965

Royal Corps of Transport
1965- 1993

History

Following its disbandment in 1833, there were a number of short-lived organisations such as the Military Train and the Land Transport Corps, but it was not until the formation of the Army Service Corps in 1899 that transport and supplies became a well organised permanent body.

At the outbreak of the First World War the Army Service Corps numbered 6,500 men, by 1918 this number had grown to 325,000 men. In recognition of the Army Service Corps’ contribution to the war effort of 1914-1919 the Corps was granted the ‘Royal’ prefix and was thus known as the Royal Army Service Corps.

The Royal Corps of Transport

Was formed in 1965 from the transport (land, water and air) elements of the Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) and the movement control element of the Royal Engineers (RE). The Royal Army Service Corps’ functions of supply and transport were separated. The RCT became responsible for transport whilst supplies became the responsibility of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. 

The Corps Collect

We say together

"Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,
whose wisdom and compassion know no
bounds, look with favour upon us, the
Members of the Royal Army Service Corps
and Royal Corps of Transport Association.

We beseech you to guide and bless our
endeavours in upholding the finest ideas of
comradeship within our corps family.
Help us to preserve the heritage entrusted
to us by our predecessors, to bring help to
those in need, and to prosper our fellowship
in your Name.

May those who have gone before us, and
we who stand before you today, be united
in this one fellowship by your blessing and
your love.

Through Jesus Christ Our Lord. Amen".

Honours

Four Victoria Crosses and one George Cross have been awarded to members of the Regiment.
 

Victoria Cross

• Michael Murphy
  
  
  
  Farrier. 2nd Battalion. Military Train. *
  London Gazetted on the 27th May, 1859.
  Born in 1831 at Cahir, Tipperary, Ireland. Died on 4th April 1893 at Darlington, County Durham.
  Memorial on grave at Darlington North Municipal Cemetery, Darlington. County Durham.
  
  Digest of Citation reads:
  On the 15th April, 1858 during the pursuit of Koer Singh's rebel army from Asimeghur, India, Farrier Murphy along with Private Morley, also the 2nd Battalion, went to the rescue of Lieutenant HAMILTON, Adjutant of the 3rd d Sikh Cavalry, who had been wounded, dismounted and was surrounded by the enemy. Farrier Murphy cut down several of the enemy and was himself severely wounded, however this did not deter him and he never left Lieutenant HAMILTON's side until support arrived.
  * Royal Army Service Corps.
  Additional information:. Michael Murphy was promoted to Farrier-Major, in the 7th Hussars. The Victoria Cross was awarded to him, but not to Private Morley.
  Private Morley felt somewhat perturbed when he learned that Farrier Murphy had been awarded the Victoria Cross, when they had both been involved in the rescue of the Lieutenant. He told General Paget CB of his grievance, during his inspection at Aldershot in 1860. The general took up the complaint, read reports of the action, and on the evidence,. the powers that be decided that Morley should also receive the VC.

• Samuel Morley 
  
  
  
  Private. 2nd Battalion. Military Train. *
  London Gazetted on 7th August 1860.
  VCs Medal's Custodian is The Royal Corps of Transport.
  Born in December 1839 at East Retford, Nottinghamshire. Died on 16th June 1888 at his home, 13, Garnet Street, Nottingham.
  Memorial on grave in the General Cemetery, Nottingham.
  Digest of Citation reads:
  On 15th April 1858, Kooer Singh's Army were pursued by a squadron of the Military Train and some troops of the Horse Artillery at Azimgurh, India. Lieutenant Hamilton, of the 3rd Sikh Cavalry, became unhorsed and was surrounded by the enemy, who cut and hacked at him as he lay on the ground. Private Morley, seeing the Officers predicament, and despite the fact that his own horse had been shot from under him, immediately, with the aid of Farrier Murphy, cut down one of the Sepoys, and continued fighting over the Lieutenants body until assistance arrived. This action saved Lieutenant Hamilton from being killed on the spot
  * Royal Army Service Corps.
  Additional information:. Private Morley's service career began with the 8th Hussars where he served in the Crimea from September 1855. A year later, he transferred to the Military Train (Royal Army Service Corps). His regiment was sent to India, and he fought in the Indian Mutiny.
  He was presented with his Victoria Cross by her Majesty Queen Victoria in Home Park, Windsor.
  Private Morley felt somewhat perturbed when he learned that Farrier Murphy had been awarded the Victoria Cross. He told General Paget CB of his grievance, during his inspection at Aldershot in 1860. The general took up the complaint, read reports of the action, and on the evidence the powers that be, decided that Morley should also receive the VC.
  After spending nearly 15 years in the army, he was discharged in 1870. He found work at the local Gas-works. He died at the age of 59. The City of Nottingham, subscribed and paid for a stoned to be erected on the grave of their local hero.

• James Langley Dalton
  
  
  
  Acting Assistant Commissary. Commissariat and Transport Department. (Royal Army Service Corps).
  London Gazetted on 17th November, 1879.
  Born in December 1832 (actual date not known) in London. Died on 8th January, 1887 at Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
  Memorial at grave in Russell Road Cemetery, Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
  
  Digest of Citation reads:
  On 22nd January, 1879 at Rorke's Drift, Natal, South Africa, Acting Assistant Commissary Dalton actively superintended the work of defence and was amongst the foremost of those who received the first attack at the corner of the hospital, where the deadliness of his fire checked the mad rush of the enemy. He saved the life of a man in the Army Hospital Corps by shooting the Zulu who was attacking him. Although wounded himself this officer continued to give the same example of cool courage throughout the action.

• Richard George Masters
  
  
  
  Private. Royal Army Service Corps. *
  London Gazetted on 8th May 1918.
  Born on 30th March 1877 at Southport, Lancashire. Died on 4th April 1963 at Southport, Lancashire..
  Memorial not known.
  
  Digest of Citation reads:
  The communications had been cut and the wounded could not be evacuated because of an enemy attack. Reports had come that the road was impassable, in spite of this, Private Master's, who was attached to the *141st Field Ambulance, volunteered to try and get through. With the greatest of difficulties he managed to succeed by clearing the road of all kind of debris. Throughout the whole of the afternoon he continued to make journey after journey over the road, which was subjected persistently to shell and machine-gun fire. On one occasion, he was bombed by aeroplane. Private Masters was able to help evacuate the majority of the wounded from the area. His car was the only one that managed to get through during this particular phase.

• Alfred Cecil Herring
  
  
  
  Second Lieutenant. Royal Army Service Corps attached 6th (Service) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment.
  London Gazetted on 7th June 1918.
  Born on 26th October, 1888 at Tottenham, Middlesex. Died on 10th August, 1966 at Weybridge, Surrey.
  Memorial not known.
  Digest of Citation reads:
  On 23rd/24th March, 1918 at Montagne Bridge, France, the enemy had gained a position on the South Bank of the canal and Second Lieutenant Herring's post was surrounded, but he immediately counter-attacked and recaptured the position, together with 20 prisoners and six machine-guns. During the night the post was continually attacked, but all attacks were beaten off, largely due to the fact that Lieutenant Herring was frequently visiting his men and cheering them up. It was owing to his bravery and magnificent handling of his troops that the enemy advance was held up for 11 hours at a very critical period.
  Additional information:. Lieutenant Herring attained the rank of Major.

George Cross

• Joseph Hughes
  
  
  
  No. & Rank at the Time of Action: T/14858103, Driver
  Unit/Occupation: Royal Army Service Corps
  Date and Place of Birth: 1925/6, Glasgow, Scotland
  Early Life: A resident of the Gorbals District of Glasgow
  Date and Place of GC Action: 21st March 1946, Lyemun Barracks, Hong Kong
  
  The London Gazette: The award of the George Cross was published on p. 2922 of The London Gazette, No. 37996 dated 26th June 1947.

 RCT Trades

 

Royal Corps of Transport landing craft, the RCL Arezzo

The Royal Corps of Transport consisted of a number of different specialist trades. These included:

• Driver was the primary trade of the RCT and as such private soldiers held the rank 'Driver'.
  • Driver (Responsible for General Duties and Driver tasks).
  • Driver Radio operator
  • Driver Tank Transporter
  • Driver Air Dispatcher

Although in conversation the 'Driver' element was often dropped from these other Driver roles, even though the rank abbreviated as Dvr remained.

Clerical trades also completed basic driver training before going on to specialise

• Clerk - Working within RCT Squadrons.
• Movement controller previously referred to as Traffic Operator

Port and Specialised Support Trades, Port and Maritime specialists

Again basic driver training was required

• Driver Port Operator
• Driver Railwayman (79 Railway Squadron RCT)
• Mariner (Seaman)
• Marine Engineer
• Pilot - Hovercraft - for a very short period. Pilot was not really a trade but an appointment

RCT personnel served in additional roles

• Staff car Driver could be carried out by any driver trade and additionally by those that carried out the Staff car Driver's course at the Army School of Mechanical Transport - (Later Defence School of Transport).
• Airborne Forces as a Parachutist but stayed in trade, so not for sea, port and railway trades. N.B. Parachutist was never a trade in the RCT. However 63 Parachute Squadron RCT, was part of the Airborne Bde.
• Royal Marines (Commando Logistic Regiment) Having completed the 'Army Commando Course'
• Special Duties Teams in Northern Ireland
• Master Driver

Additional Officer Information

Amalgamation

 

Royal Corps of Transport
Royal Corps of Transport Cap Badge
Active	1965-1993
Country	Worldwide
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Branch	British Army
Garrison/HQ	Buller Barracks, Aldershot
Nickname(s)	Troggs, Rice Crispie Tasters, Rickshaws Cabs and Taxis, The Waggoners
Motto(s)	Nil sine labore ("Nothing without labour")
March	Wait for the Wagon
Insignia
Stable belt colours

MILITARY - BRITISH ARMY

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