General service / list - what's that all about?

[Steve Ashton]

"The general service button could be the subject of a pretty hefty book in its own right ! I believe that the question is directed towards post 1902 (King's crown) buttons so I will concentrate on them. The most universal issue of general service buttons was after the commencement of WW1. Once the BEF had gone, usually wearing regimental or territorial buttons, and the first wave of reinforcements had been equipped, mass conscription brought vast numbers of soldiers into the war. The vast majority went to war wearing general service buttons. This is evidenced by a rarity of other ranks buttons of the WW1 period with regimental devices. Also, the numbers of contractors and sub-contractors manufacturing general service buttons was huge - such was the demand. One victim of the 'generalisation' of buttons was Jennens & Co., who had always prided themselves on their specific regimental designs. They eventually gave way to Gaunts in 1924. Of course, there are Dress Regulations and War Department Regulations to support changes in procurement policy."