Armlets

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In 1922, pending a further decision with regard to the post-war dress of the Canadian Militia, orders were issued which included the wearing of armlets. Blue and white armlets 3 1/2 inches wide were authorized to be worn on the left arm above the elbow by Officers engaged on special duties with the Signal Service as well as warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Signal Services when actually on duty.

In 1927 Regulations for the Clothing of the Permanent and Non-Permanent Active Militia were amended to add further instructions for the wearing and provision of the armlets. They were to be worn by personnel of all branches actually performing signal duties:

(a) On active service.

(b) When performing Signal duties with other troops at training or manoeuvers, &c.

(c) When specifically ordered.

The armlets were to be worn on the right arm above the elbow. In the Permanent Active Militia they were provided on a scale of two per Signal Warrant Officer, N.C.O. and man and, in other units, two per signaller on the establishment. In the non-permanent militia, the scale was half that of the permanent force.

Changes were recommended in 1933 when it was noted that the armlets were being worn by so many people that they had lost their significance and had become a decoration peculiar to signal personnel. In 1935 changes were promulgated for both the Permanent and Non-Permanent Active Militia stating that the blue and white signal armlets would only be worn on active service, during training or manoeuvers:

(i) Royal Canadian Corps of Signals / Canadian Corps of Signals officers, regimental signal officers and N.C.O.'s in charge of battery signallers.

(ii) Despatch riders, and signallers of all arms while employed as motor cyclist orderlies.

(iii) N.C.O.'s of all arms in charge of, or employed in, signal offices.

(iv) Royal Canadian Corps of Signals / Canadian Corps of Signals personnel engaged in construction or maintenance of lines.

Canadian Active Service Force Routine Order (CASF RO) 1228 (10 Nov 1941) directed that signal armlets were to be worn on both arms.

CASF RO 4553 dated 3 May 1944 outlined restrictions on the use of the signal armlet similar to the 1935 amendments. It was noted the purpose of the blue and white armlet was to denote persons on urgent inter-communication duties to ensure they were immediately recognized and not unduly delayed or hindered. The order also directed that the armlet not be worn where there was a danger of its attracting enemy fire to its wearer.

After the Second World War, Canadian Army Routine Order 6635 and Canadian Army Overseas Routine Order 6642 restricted the wear of the blue and white armlets to despatch riders.

Provisional Orders and Instructions for Dress of The Canadian Army published in 1953 restricted the wearing of the blue and white armlet, now termed a brassard, to RC Sigs lineman and despatch riders.

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Standard Style

		Armlet of course material with no attachment mechanism. Believed to be an early example made for sewing directly on uniforms as was done during the Great War era.
		Armlet of course material with buttons and six button-holes.
		Armlet with four snaps hand sewn on. Back has an elastic loop, presumably to assist with putting it on. Second World War example attributed to Maj G.C. Baker, MBE.
		Armlet with snaps. Six large diameter male snaps marked "NEWEY BROTHERS LTD B'HAM". Two female snaps marked "NEWEY PAT. 201430-22". Second World War example, likely manufactured in the UK, attributed to Maj G.C. Baker, MBE.
		Armlet with snaps. Six large diameter male snaps marked "U.C.F. Canada".
		Armlet with snaps. Six small diameter male snaps marked "United Carr"
		Armlet with snaps. Ten small diameter male snaps marked "United Carr". Maker marked "Guelph Elastic Hosiery Co. Ltd. October 1961" and government acceptance stamped.
		Armlet with snaps. Ten small diameter male snaps marked "United Carr". Maker marked "Stanley A. Grant Brassard November 1963" and government acceptance stamped.

Other Styles

		Armlet for the Algonquin Regiment. Original had the word "REGT" in a straight line under the word Algonquin but this example has a Signals flash sewn over it. This style of armlet is believed to have been worn by recruits to the regiment in the 1940-41 time frame.
		Armlet with snaps. Six large diameter male snaps marked "U.C.F. Canada". Blue portion is a different material and is sewn on a white armlet. Blue is sewn on around snaps indicating that it was done after the snaps were applied.
		Despatch Rider Armlet. Modern example in grey and blue made of a nylon type material, red sewn-on letters and a hook and loop strip fastener. Manufactured by Flags Unlimited Inc.

Photos

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  CEF Signals Uniforms

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  Great War CE Signal Sergeant tunic with sewn on armlet

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  Cpl Martin of "A" Corps Signals

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  UNEF Despatch Rider 1975

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  Despatch Rider of 1 CSR at RV'83