WW1 National Motor Volunteers VTC officers bronze cap badge

A scarce original First World War period die-cast bronzed V.T.C. cap badge, 'Mercury' the winged messenger of the Gods mounted on a spoked motorcar wheel resting on ''Pro Patria'' scroll, the tyre inscribed 'National Motor Volunteers', the reverse with maker's details "J.R.Gaunt London". Very good condition retaining original two blade fittings to reverse.
Height 37mm.

The 'National Motor Volunteers' was formed in London in early 1916 primarily to transport soldiers arriving in London at night after the buses and Underground had stopped. A year later it became a nationwide organisation and part of the Volunteer Training Corps (later Volunteer Force) - the WW1 equivalent of the Home Guard. It was now used for transporting Volunteer battalions, evacuating hospitals in the event of an emergency and assisting in the aftermath of air raids. In July 1918 it became part of the ASC and was retitled ASC Mechanical Transport (Volunteers). It was solely for home defence and never served overseas.