Ranger Uniform

The Ranger section began in 1917, then referred 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 didn't want to leave - 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 the tenderfoot tests with girls four years or more younger.
Because of their 'Senior Guide' origins, for many years their uniform was the same as that for Guides, except that their badges were stitched in red thread rather than in the blue used on Guide badges, their Promise Badge had red enamel, their hat badge was stitched in red thread, and their Patrol Badges were trees rather than flowers. Indeed, in the early years many Rangers wore their Guide uniform and simply added their Senior Guide/Ranger badges onto it alongside their Guide ones. It was suggested that where the price of the red-enamelled Tenderfoot badge (price 1 shilling) was prohibitive, the Ranger could wear a Guide Tenderfoot badge (price 3d) on a red ground.
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. It was 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.

Skirt - Navy blue
Jersey - Navy blue (ordinary Guide jumper optional).
Hat - Blue linen, with white pique cap cover from May till September. Cap ribbon with "Sea Guides".
Tie - Light blue, or Company colours.
Belt - Brown Leather, with official buckle.
Brooch - Dark blue enamel, worn on tie
Patrol Emblem - On left breast.
Patrol Leaders - As above, with addition of stripes and brooch in front of hat, above ribbon. Boatswain's whistle on white lanyard.
Seconds - As for Guides, with one stripe.

There were tweaks to the uniform in February 1929, where a new-style Guide overall was introduced, with a lower neckline and with two inverted pleats in the skirt running from the waistline. The badges changed in October 1931 - "The new woven badges are guaranteed fadeless and washable. Therefore, if they are carefully buttonholed on to the overall sleeve when new they need not be removed when the garment is washed. There should then be no difficulty with regard to the badges fraying."
Special hat and hat badge.
Tenderfoot and hat badge.
Service star on red ground.
It is not essential for Rangers to wear their Patrol Leaders' stripes or proficiency badges. Girls who have been Patrol Leaders in a Guide company may, on entering the Rangers, retain their Patrol Leader's lanyard. A Ranger who is also a Patrol Leader in a Guide company wears a Ranger Tenderfoot badge on her tie and a Guide badge in her hat.
and the Guide Uniform was:
Overall or Jumper and skirt - Navy blue serge or cotton, with two patch pockets and shoulder straps; black bone buttons.
Knickers - Navy blue or black.
Hat - Navy blue soft felt.
Hatbadge - Navy blue, with official stamp
Tie - Triangular, of light blue or company colour, worn folded neatly into a narrow fold bandage, under collar, not under shoulder strap.
Belt - Brown leather, with official buckle
Boots or shoes - Black
Stockings - Black
Gloves - Brown gauntlet, if any.
Shoulder Knot - Of patrol colour, worn on left shoulder
Emblem - Of patrol flower or bird, worn above the left-hand pocket
Title Tape - Of company name and number, worn on left arm, covering juncture of the shoulder knot with the shoulder strap.
Brooch - Tenderfoot, worn on tie
Hair-Ribbon - Black or navy. Hair should be plaited.

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 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 . . .
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.
Skirt - Navy blue
Jersey - Grey knitted (with long sleeves) worn outside the skirt. or (for summer wear) Shirt - Grey cotton or flannel.
Tie - Navy blue triangular, worn scarf-wise, with point at back of neck. Woggle - Red.
Belt - Brown leather, with official buckle.
Hat - Navy blue beret.
Hat Badge - Red embroidered Trefoil, worn above left eye.
Tenderfoot Badge - Red enamel.
Stockings - Brown (leaf-mould).
Socks - Colour of jersey or shoes.
Shoes - Brown. (Black shoes and stockings may be worn, but the whole company must wear the same.)
Hair should be worn off the collar.
For camping and hiking only - Blue cotton overall with short sleeves and open neck.
Patrol Leaders and Seconds may wear lanyards as an insignia of office.

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.
Skirt - Navy blue.
Jersey - Navy blue. or (for summer wear) Shirt - White cotton or flannel.
Tie - Black triangular, worn scarf-wise, with point at back of neck. Woggle - Royal blue.
Hat - Sea Ranger hat, or when this is unobtainable, a navy blue beret.
Tally Band or Hat Badge - On the Sea Ranger hat a black tally band, with "Sea Rangers" in gold letters, or blue embroidered trefoil in the centre front. On the beret a blue embroidered trefoil is worn above the left eye.
Tenderfoot Badge - Blue enamel
Belt - Brown leather, with official buckle.
Knife - Worn on white lanyard, and attached to belt on right side.
Stockings - Brown (leaf-mould).
Socks - Brown, or to match jersey or skirt.
Shoes - Brown or, for boat work, white canvas.
For boat work only
Navy blue slacks or shorts, of woollen material, may be worn with white shirt, or Sea Ranger flannel. For working rig, navy blue dungarees may be worn.

1947 Air Ranger Uniform
Skirt - Navy blue
Jersey or Shirt (official pattern) - Mazarine blue (similar to the colour of shirts worn by officers of the W.A.A.F.). Worn inside skirt.
Battle Blouse - Navy blue
Flash - Pale blue on navy, worn on both sleeves of the battle blouse as near shoulder seam as possible.
Belt - Brown leather, with official buckle.
Shoes and Stockings - Brown
Tie - Black, triangular, worn scarfwise with County Badge on point at back.
Woggle - Pale blue
Enrolment Badge - Pale blue enamel
Beret - Navy blue with embroidered pale blue trefoil worn over left eye.
Knife - Optional.
Lanyard - white, twisted round tie, worn by Air Crew Leaders and Seconds round the left shoulder of the battle blouse, whistle attached to lanyard and inserted in left pocket.
Hair should be worn off the collar.
For Camp and Informal Occasions
Shorts - Navy blue (Headquarters pattern, either Ranger or Guider's style).

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."



July 1990 - "All the main items in the new uniform ranges for the girls' sections should be available on September 1st." "There had been some difficulties in obtaining the waterproof jackets and some of the adult range but these should be ready by November 1."
February 1998 - "Blue jeans are official Guide wear. Members of the Executive Committee agreed at their meeting in October that, from January 1, Guides and members of the Senior Section can wear jeans as part of their official uniform."

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.
