Looking for anyone who recognises a unit with these initials in 1915. I am also enquiring on the GWF. I have been handed a very small, cased, sterling silver medallion to investigate. On the front, supported by rifles, is a shield engraved with "3rd DIV. 1915" and below "B.G.V.T.C." On the reverse is engraved "CHAMPIONSHIP WON BY PTE. A. BENNETT." Firstly, would anyone know what unit B.G.V.T.C. was, and ideally, where it was based and what it was doing in 1915? Any information at all will be very gratefully received as I have drawn a complete blank.
It seems there were many VTCs around the country. Some named after counties: Gloucester VTC Towns: Burnley VTC Bolton VTC Golders Green VTC Trades: Pharmacists VTC Bristol Rugby VTC Birmingham Electrical Engineers VTC Have found references to Bethnal Green VTC !!
Please bear in mind that this is all a long, long way from proving the meaning of BGVTC. The People, Sunday, February 21, 1915 RED BADGE OF COURAGE Growth of the volunteer movement Brig.-gen. Abbott yesterday opened the new municipal firing range provided by the Bethnal Green Borough Council at their depot in Digby Street, Globe Road, E. He also inspected the Bethnal Green Volunteer Training Corps. He said it was a delightful sight to see how the manhood of the country was coming forward to help in the war. The presence of a million volunteers all over the country gave the lie to the idea that if a man could not go into the firing line the only thing left for him was the cellar. Mr PA Harris, LCC, (hon. Secretary of the Central Association Volunteer Training Corps), said that 900 corps were now affiliated with the Association, and there were close upon a million men drilling and training at their own expense. During the week they had received a request from far-away Skye, for the “red badge of courage” – the Association’s armlet. Newspapers of the time are full of VTC shooting competitions, but have been unable to find Private Bennett.
Many thanks for the extract from "The People", although not definitive proof it seems to add weight to Pte Bennett having links to Bethnal Green VTC.
