UNIFORM On mobilisation in 1939 the Buckinghamshire Battalion had a mixture of Service Dress and Battledress. But by the time it went to France in January 1940 it was clothed entirely in Battledress.
As the early pattern of battledress had no exposed buttons black regimental buttons were only worn on the Field Service (FS) or “side” cap and on the greatcoat. The black buttons being supplied by the battalion.
Later during the war with the introduction of “austerity” or “utility” pattern battledress the battalion once more had the opportunity to display its black buttons.
REGIMENTAL ORDER PART ONE ORDER 102 30th April 1943 669. UTILITY BATTLE DRESS (P.O.) The wearing of Black Buttons on Utility Battle Dress blouses has been under consideration for some time and the following decision has now been reached. (a) Black Buttons will be worn on Utility B.D. blouses by all Officers and W.O.s (b) The type of button will be the small flat greatcoat pattern button. No other type will be worn. (c) Buttons will be purchased from the P.R.I. (d) This order will come into effect immediately. It is regretted that a general issue cannot be made to allow all ranks to wear Black Buttons, but to do so would involve considerable expenditure from Regimental Funds which in the circumstances is not considered to be justified. Therefore as uniformity is essential N.C.O.s and Rank and File will NOT be permitted to wear the Black Buttons."
REFERENCES
1. FORMATION BADGES OF WORLD WAR TWO by Howard Cole, 1985 Arms & Armour Press, ISBN 0-85368-078-7
2. The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Chronicle, Vol 3: July 1942 -May 1944 J. E. H Neville,.Aldershot: Gale and Polden, 1951