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The Royal Army Service Corps
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The Royal Corps of Transport Association
Past and Present
The Association, as we know it today, was the result of the formation of The Royal Corps of Transport (RCT) in 1965, but our origins can be traced back over two hundred years to the first South African wars of the eighteenth century, when a memorial fund was set up to look after the interests of returning war veterans.
The first major development was in 1927 when Royal Army Service Corps (RASC) clubs and funds were amalgamated to form The Royal Army Service Corps Association. At that time there were Branches world-wide, from European Countries in the West, through Egypt in the Middle East to China in the Far East.
Following the Second World War many new Branches were formed throughout The United Kingdom by men who wished to retain those bonds of comradeship forged in difficult times.
In 1965 the Corps was re-named The Royal Corps of Transport and the association assumed its present title. Membership then included some ex-members of The Royal Engineers whose trades had been transferred to the new Corps.
In 1993 The Royal Logistic Corps (RLC) was formed by the amalgamation of The RCT, RAOC, RPC, ACC and Postal and Courier elements of the RE and The Royal Corps of Transport ceased to exist.
Today (2004) there are 75 Branches spread throughout The United Kingdom, in addition to which there are function-based National Branches, (Tank Transporter and Air Despatch) available to those who have seen service with such units.
The objectives of the Association are:
To foster mutual friendship
To promote espirit de corps
To organise social gatherings
To assist members to obtain suitable employment
To relieve by grants of money, members, their wives, families and dependents who are temporarily in necessitous circumstances.
What do I get out of it?
Comradeship. The opportunity to associate with those with whom you have plenty in common.
Espirit de corps
Employment advice (if necessary)
Accident insurance
You and your family can take part in all Branch social activities.
Relief of distress
The RASC & RCT Benevolent Fund is one of the largest Army ex-service benevolent funds and exists to help those who have served in the RASC or RCT as regulars, NS men or embodied TA soldiers and their dependents if they fall on hard times. Such cases are usually investigated on our behalf by SSAFA Forces Help or The Royal British Legion.
What can I put into it?
The benefits of Association membership depend, as always in such organisations, upon the contributions made by members in offering friendship, helping others, helping to run Branches by joining the committee and being a positive member.
If you valued the comradeship of your service in the Army and the standards achieved, help to maintain them by joining your local Branch.
Who can join the Association?
Anyone who has served in the RASC, the RCT or has been attached to units of the RASC or the RCT while serving in the ATS or WRAC.
Associate membership may be granted by Branches to people who have had long or special connections with either Corps or, in particular, with the Association Branch.
What does it cost?
Annual Membership £1.00
Life Membership £6.00
How and where can I join?
By writing to The Controller, RASC & RCT Association, Dettingten House, The Princess Royal Barracks, Deepcut, Camberley, Surrey, GU16 6RW. Give your name and address, telephone, when you served from and to, your rank and your number.
Alternatively, we at the Birkenhead Branch, which covers The Wirral Area, can hopefully assist you in identifying your nearest Association.
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