WW1 British BEF Darby Scheme Private Armband Brassard

The WW1 British BEF Darby Scheme Private Armband Brassard is a historically significant piece of military insignia issued during the First World War. This brassard was worn by recruits enlisted under the Darby Scheme, a voluntary recruitment initiative introduced by Lord Derby in 1915 to bolster the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) before the introduction of conscription. The armband, typically crafted from khaki wool cloth, features a red crown insignia stitched or printed onto its surface, denoting the wearer’s status within the scheme. It was fastened around the upper arm and served to identify men who had attested their willingness to serve but had not yet been called up for active duty. The brassard played an important role in British military and social contexts of the period, as it distinguished voluntary recruits from conscripts and other civilians. This item provides insight into recruitment practices and home front activities during the Great War.