When the 8th Royal Scots mobilised at the outbreak of the Second World War, it was a very young battalion that re-formed in the Spring of 1939 with just over 500 men. It only had three vans for transport, three light machine-guns per Rife Company. I remember in these early days draft after draft of personnel kept arriving and the Battalion was quickly brought up to its full establishment. Reservists came as the first draft. They were warmly welcomed for their Regular Army experience, and I particularly recall as an ‘young’ 18-year-old trying to settle down in this strange environment, they were an example to the Civilian-Soldiers how to adjust to Army life to make it bearable, even tolerable. The ‘old soldier’ spirit soon rubbed off on us and things seemed not too bad, even tolerable. Four of them joined the Signals Platoon when 35 of us were being trained as signallers, two becoming our NCOs. These older Royal Scots with their experience were a key strength in our comradeship, their presence like Big Brothers, reassuring when the going was tough and looking back on these years we younger lads were privileged to have them by our side. A number of Reservists when they were posted to the 8RS wore Good Conduct Chevron on the lower left sleeve. It was explained that the first chevron had been awarded after two years good service; the second, six years; the third, twelve years; and finally the fourth awarded after eighteen years good service. Each stripe meant an additional increment in pay. Private William C. Russell was amongst the Reservists posted to the Battalion and this family photograph shows he was wearing two chevrons. His soldiering began when he enlisted in The Royal Scots in 1923, serving with the 2nd Battalion in Aden, Egypt, China and India. As a Reservist he was recalled to The Colours on 2nd September 1939 and was with the 8RS in Normandy and took part in the fierce fighting we encountered in the bridgehead until he was wounded at Gavrus in July 1944. Are Good Conduct Chevrons being worn nowadays? Are they no longer awarded? Joe Brown.
Abolished in the early 1970's when the army became professional rather than regular. It was presumed that a professional was of good conduct, as officers always were (assumed that is). Mike
Mike. Thank you for letting me know. Does it also apply to the award of Long Service and Good Medals? Regards, Joe.
I forgot the first rule. 'Never answer a question. They'll only ask another one.' Yes still awarded for 15 years service. In this case good conduct is not assumed but has to be demonstrated (or at least no evidence to the contrary). Mike
Good conduct Stripes were still being worn in the 1980's by regular professionsl soldiers. I was 1st Glosters (regular Infantry battalion) and everyone with an entitlement wore their Good Conduct Stripes for the Queens Birthday Parade in Berlin. I must admit, I'd already served for 4 years before this parade and hadn't seen anyone in the battalion wearing them previously. But photos of the parade in Berlin show us wearing them. I can't upload mine on here as it says it's too big an image. Sorry.
