Automobile Association New Recruits Circular 1960

[Flying10uk]

I found this photograph of new recruits to the Automobile Association which dates to around 1960 and is outside their training centre. It is interesting to see how many of the recruits have medal ribbons sewn onto their uniforms indicating military service.

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[Flying10uk]

Here is a BSA Motorcycle combination known in the Automobile Association as a Road Service Outfit. This picture was taken in the early 1960s not long after the first picture. The AA had a long association with BSA motorcycles, from the early days of motoring, up until they stopped using bikes to give assistance to members of the public.

[Peter Laidler]

Please tell me if I'm mistaken......... but is the the George Cross worn by the man, front row, 2nd from left. Surely not. But you can never tell.

[Paul S.]

I don't think it is. It may be a watch fob or religious medal on the whistle chain running from his top button to his pocket.

[Peter Laidler]

Mmmmmmmmm. What made me ask, apart from the obvious is that the first medal ribbon is dark (dark blue ?) the colour of the GC ribbon.

I knew one of the ex REME Sergeants at Warminster who had the GM but never mentioned it and asking him about it was like pulling teeth! Strange people. But brave strange people!

[Flying10uk]

The reason that I have the picture in post 1 is because it was taken when my father qualified as an AA patrolman and he is in the picture. The motorcycle combination in post 2 was his first bike which was later replaced by a more modern bike still a BSA, I believe. I don't know if it's a George Cross but it's perfectly possible because a large percentage of the AA's personal, at that time, had seen military service. In fact, until relatively recently I believe, that there was some sort of formal tie up between the AA and the Territorial Military Police.

[Paul S.]

Peter, the first ribbon on the bloke in the second row over his right shoulder looks to be the same. In fact, there are several that appear to have the same three basic ribbons. The dark bit of ribbon doesn't look long enough to be a full ribbon. I suspect it may be a 1939-1945 Star.

[Peter Laidler]

I'm sure we can all agree that it looks like the style and size of the GC. There Flying 10's next project. To write to the AA telling them of his family connection and interest in the photo and asking them the answer...........

[Flying10uk]

Something which AA patrols had to do until the late 60s, while out on the road, was to salute cars when they noticed an AA badge attached. If the car driver noticed that the AA man didn't salute it meant that there was likely to be a police speed trap ahead so SLOW down and if possible ask the AA man why. This came about because the AA got into hot water with the law, in the early days of motoring, for signalling to car drivers when there was a speed trap. So the AA reacted by turning the whole thing on it's head and not saluting if there was a speed trap. The theory being that they couldn't get in trouble for not doing something.

[Peter Laidler]

This matter raised its head again recently in the press when the police traffic cowboys set about booking motorists who had the effrontery to flash oncoming motorists, warning them of a speed trap ahead. The police spokesman questioned the morality of NOT warning others, who might be breaking the law, not to! You couldn't make it up! Needless to say the 'police spokesman' was met with howls of ridicule. One comment addressed to the 'spokesman' was worded to the effect '.......Where do they get these buffoons from. I'll let my Sunday church sermon guide my moral standing. Not the Police'. But, I digress......