Leslie's Guiding History Site

The Ranger section began in 1917, then called Senior Guides, a name used until October 1920.  And Senior Guides is effectively what they initially were - created to cope with those girls who had completed their training as Guides and were 16 or over - but who didn't want to leave Guides - and simultaneously to cater for those who wanted to join Guiding for the first time, but were already 16, and would have found it awkward to sit and learn their tenderfoot tests with girls five years younger.  

Because of their 'Senior Guide' origins, for many years their uniform was the same as that for Guides bar some small details - their badges were stitched in red thread on white rather than in the blue used on Guide badges, their Promise Badge had red enamel or was pinned through a disk of red felt, their hat badge was stitched in red thread rather than gold, and their Patrol Badges were trees rather than flowers.  Indeed, in the early years many Rangers continued to wear their old Guide uniform and simply swapped their Patrol Badge and shoulder knot, and added their Senior Guide/Ranger proficiency badges on alongside their Guide ones.   

So in 1918, the Senior Guide uniform was:

In July 1920, the 'Senior Guide Star' was introduced for Senior Guides, equivalent to the Second Class in the Guide section, intended for those Senior Guides who had not earned Second Class as Guides.  It was an oval initially worn by itself, but also shaped to fit onto the centre of the First Class badge when that was earned.  In March 1921 it was announced that from then on, Guide blouses would be worn outside the skirt rather than tucked in.

As well as the official uniform, there was guidance around camp wear.  Naturally, it wasn't possible to wear full Ranger uniform daily at a camp lasting a week or more. In August 1932 it was announced that a new Official blue camp overall for Rangers, with short or long sleeve, was now available from HQ; also a camp hat.  'In the case of Rangers, skirts should cover the knee, and as a general rule, stockings should be worn when going through a village or town, except in exceptional circumstances such as going to the beach.

The summer of 1935 saw some further tweaks to Ranger uniform.  A new style of Ranger hat was approved, and became available in July 1935, and at that time it was also advised that Rangers might wear either a folded Guide-style tie, or a regular necktie, provided all in the unit wear the same.  The option was also given to wear brown stockings and shoes rather than black, again provided that all in the unit wear the same.  And a month later permission was granted for Rangers to wear striped ties rather than only plain-coloured.  Then in December 1936 another new style of Ranger hat was introduced, in soft felt. 

In January 1937 a new design of overall was introduced for Rangers, made on the lines of a fitted dress, and in the new 'Headquarters Blue' colour, rather than the navy which had previously been worn.  

There were further relaxations in August 1938, when "It was agreed that Rangers be permitted to wear ankle socks on unceremonial occasions.  That Rangers need not necessarily wear hats to and from meetings.  That the design for the Ranger lightweight hat be approved."  There seems to have been never-ending tweaking to the style of the Ranger hat in this era, for what do we find announced in October 1938?  "New Ranger hats, in a smart pull-on shape with a stitched brim" made in a navy waterproof drill material, and can be rolled up when not in use."  And in February 1939 it was announced that 'Rangers wearing the new-style overall, and Sea Rangers wearing the new-style overall or jersey, may wear a strip of cord on the right shoulder instead of full All-Round Cords.'

So by 1939, the Ranger uniform was: 

Uniform dress: Headquarters blue, official pattern.

Hat: Navy blue waterproof drill.

Hat badge: Navy blue cloth, with official stamp embroidered in red.

Tie: Striped or plain colour, open end or triangular.

Shoes and stockings: Black or brown (leaf mould) whole company to wear same colour; stockings to match shoes.

Badge: Tenderfoot badge of red enamel.

Sea Ranger uniform was: 

White Jumper: Flannel for winter, drill for summer, may be worn underneath jersey, with small portion showing at neck; not more than three inches from base of neck downwards.

For unceremonial occasions may be worn tucked into a navy blue skirt with navy blue blazer, in addition to the official belt and hat.  Tenderfoot badge worn in centre, two inches before neck line.

Tie: Black, triangular, folded in narrow fold bandage, ends tied under collar at back; no sailor's knot in front, and held in position by badge and by small bow of navy braid tied 2" from the bottom of tie.  Braid to be 27" long and 3/4" wide.

Cap: Blue waterproof drill, with white pique cap cover from May 1st to September 30th.

Tally Band: Black with "Sea Rangers" in gold on it.

Tenderfoot Badge: Blue enamel.

Knife: On white lanyard worn round the neck and attached to belt on right side.

Alternative Uniform: Navy blue jersey and skirt.

For boat work only: navy blue slacks or shorts, of woollen material, may be worn.

For working rig only: navy blue dungarees may be worn.

So this was the position of Ranger Uniforms prior to the outbreak of WW2, with the 'headquarters blue' overall or the 'jumper' (what we would understand as an overshirt) and skirt combination, with belt and hat, tie of company colour, and stockings and shoes in either brown or black, whichever of these the company chose to adopt.  And in December 1940, it was announced that 'Headquarters blue' would now be the official colour for all Rangers' uniforms.  But - not for long . . .

With the coming of WW2, some changes to simplify the uniform were required.  For in Britain, clothes rationing was announced in 1941, affecting all civilian clothing.  The July 1941 edition of "The Guider" gave details of the impact on uniforms: Guiders - Raincoats and Coats - 14 coupons, Jacket or Blazer - 11 coupons, Guider's Dress (woollen) - 11 coupons, Guider's Dress (cotton) - 7 coupons, Guider's Skirt - 7 coupons, Blouse or Sports Shirt - 5 coupons, Guider's Ties - 1 coupon, Stockings - 2 coupons, Collar - 1 coupon, 2 Handkerchiefs - 1 coupon, Scarf - 2 coupons, Gloves - 2 coupons, Boots or Shoes - 5 coupons, Cardigan or Jersey - 5 coupons.  Guide and Brownie - Mackintoshes - 11 coupons, Coats, Showerproof or Pilot Cloth - 8 coupons, Overall - 4 or 6 coupons (4 for up to 39" size), Skirt without bodice - 5 coupons, with bodice - 6 coupons, Blouse or Jumper - 3 coupons, Knickers - 2 coupons, Stockings - 1 coupon (up to 9.5"), Ankle Socks - 1 coupon, 2 Handkerchiefs - 1 coupon, Triangular Ties - 2 coupons, Gloves - 2 coupons, Slippers or Shoes - 3 coupons.  Cotton Fabric 36" was 2 coupons per yard, Woollen Fabric 36" was 3 coupons per yard, Knitting wool was 1 coupon per 2-ounce ball.  

In August 1947 the Extension Ranger Uniform was confirmed - "Extension Ranger Companies should be allowed to wear either green or grey jerseys, according to the choice of the company, provided that the whole company wear the same colour."

By 2002 the uniform for Rangers had changed - and by this time, Rangers and Young Leaders were merged as the 'Senior Section' - so akin to Senior Guides again!  Their uniform was: 

Grey hooded sweatshirt with ice blue trim

or

Ice blue hooded sweatshirt with aqua trim

and aqua zip-neck top with grey polo collar and light blue sleeves

or

Light blue blouse with aqua collar-lining

Badge tab with grey, aqua and ice blue vertical stripe.

Worn with trousers or skirt of choice.