Cambridge District Scout Archive
This small item of uniform rarely gets a mention, but it was considered a necessary piece of the whole. They were certainly part of my weekly uniform inspection as a Wolf Cub/ Cub Scout around 1965 – 1968. The elastic garter was a usual piece of clothing to hold the sock in place both for neatness and warmth. When wearing shorts a long thick sock was necessary. Fabric technology had not yet created the resilient elasticity of modern socks.
1943 ‘I do know that uniforms were in short supply… but I did get some green binding tape for Mum to make flashes for my socks, they, of course, fitted to the elastic garter that kept my socks up.’ From ‘A Child’s War, Growing up on the home front’ M Brown
Cambridge Archive
8/10/1947 District Minutes As part of a review of all aspects of uniform, seemingly intended for National consideration, it was recorded, but unusually not unanimously,
‘Garter Tabs: It was agreed that garter tabs should be retained.’
Green garters were for Cubs, Scouts and Scouters, Red for Rovers and Rover leaders. Maroon was introduced for Senior Scouts. (Note: Maroon appears blue directly below)
Except for Cub Scouts who retained short trousers, garter tabs stopped being uniform at the adoption of the 1966 Advance Report recommendation of long trousers.
I have not seen any references to the three endings pictured above; the square cut end, the notched end and the tasseled end.
JWR Archivist Feb 2019
Cambridge District Scout Archive 