What is the purpose of an epaulette? Epaulet, sometimes spelt Epaulettes, were originally ornamental shoulder decorations that showed military rank. They have since been adopted as a fashion statement. From the shoulder pteruges of Ancient Rome, to ribbons worn on military coats, the epaulet (taken from the French ‘little shoulder’) was a mark of valour. …
Author archives: The Service Battalion Senate, Inc.
Service, Post Office
Canada’s post office was created, 16 years before Confederation. At that time, the Province of Canada was given the official responsibility for the post office, until then administered by the British post office. It became one of the first departments to be formed in the new federal government after 1867. When the First World War …
Accoutrements, Logistics
Logistics personnel provide the transportation, equipment and supplies for the movement of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and all types and sizes of cargo throughout the world. The responsibilities of Logistics include: Procurement. Warehousing items and material control Distribution and disposal of military material, equipment, and ammunition Coordination of food services, postal services, human resource …
Guide, Postal History
A Guide to Canadian Military Postal History 1636‒1970, by Lt. Col. Roland H. Webb, (right picture) edited by Robert Toombs, Gray Scrimgeour and Brian Plain. The extremely well written 1970 typescript by Lt. Col. Webb resided unpublished at the National Postal Museum / Library and Archives Canada, from shortly after 1970 until November 2013, when …
Cloth shoulder patch
Military unit patches are worn on the left shoulder, the insignia on the patch represents the brigade or division the service member is currently assigned to. HISTORICAL CONTEXT – The cloth shoulder title evolved during the war years, becoming a ubiquitous feature of the battledress uniform. Formation patches (Brigades, Corps, and Divisions) also underwent major …
Brassard or armlet
A brassard or armlet is an armband or piece of cloth or other material worn around the upper arm; the term typically refers to an item of uniform worn as part of military uniform or by police or other uniformed persons. Unit, role, rank badges or other insignia are carried on it instead of being …
Bibles
“THE WORD OF GOD BRINGS COMFORT TO SOLDIERS.” Military Bibles help Regular Force service members, Reservists, and veterans to find hope in often difficult circumstances. When and wherever the Canadian military serves, bibles are available for them, from the First World War to Afghanistan and beyond. In 1914, the Canadian Bible Society (CBS) began distributing …
Bible, Arid Pattern Camouflage
The arid (Khaki) pattern military Bible was designed specifically for Canadian soldiers and arid climate military uniforms for desert-type environments such as Afghanistan. The pattern is patented by the Department of National Defence. The cover matches the camouflage of the Canadian uniform and the Bible is the right size to fit into the uniform breast …
Cloth shoulder patch
Military unit patches are worn on the left shoulder, the insignia on the patch represents the brigade or division the service member is currently assigned to. HISTORICAL CONTEXT – The cloth shoulder title evolved during the war years, becoming a ubiquitous feature of the battledress uniform. Formation patches (Brigades, Corps, and Divisions) also underwent major …
Cadets, Royal Canadian Army (RCAC)
The Canadian Cadet Organizations, organized under the name of Cadets Canada, are a youth program known as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets. Cadets are not members of the Canadian Armed Forces, nor is the program a prerequisite for military service. In 1862, five years before Confederation, …