AT BATTERY (COMBINED PUBLIC SCHOOLS)

After this post on the flags of the English Public Schools (or at least the base material in order to make them), it is ironic that the very first Public Schools unit to make an appearance in the HerefordVBCW did not have a flag at all - and for very good reason.

Service with an Anti Tank Gun was considered somewhat beneath the aspirations of the usual public schoolboy - all that dragging shells about and operating machinery. Horror! Much better to be in a whip smart rifle unit. Hence, AT recruits usually came from the socially unacceptable at school - tugs, tykes, nargs, fatties, gingers, speccies and, worst of all, "mathmos". Even with these criteria and more than the usual degree of "Tom Brown's Schooldays" bullying by the prefects (i.e. just about everything short of crucifixion), recruitment to the Anti Tank Batteries was slow, forcing the authorities to form a "Combined Public Schools" unit. 

Hence, no flag - but, nevertheless, expensively purchased equipment:

Staff Captain Maynard, C-in-C His Majesty's Forces, having become increasingly concerned by reports of "considerable enemy tank strength" encircling Leominster, has now rushed this Combined Public Schools AT battery "to the front" with orders to assist where needed. It remains to be seen quite how effective they will be.

Notes: AT Guns scratchbuilt - metal Napoleonic trails, Airfix WW1 British Artillery gun barrel and shield, odd plastic wheels from the "bits box". Crew all vintage lead figures of "Dinky" size, i.e. shorter and slighter than 28mm. Carriers Airfix 1/72.