The photograph here shows a young Arbeitsmann of the Reichsarbeitsdienst (R.A.D) posing for a photograph likely outside in his garden home. This is suggested due to the houses to the left and a baby's pram, suggesting he is a his home. The Arbeitsmann is young as he is also seen wearing a Hitlerjugend Pin in the middle pleat of his tunic. This photograph is dated between 1933 to 1936, this is confirmed by the tunic style in which the young Arbeitsmann is wearing the 1933 pattern 'walking out' tunic. The tunic was modified in 1936 and the straight pockets became slanted 'slash' pockets whilst still used as a dress tunic the 'walking out' tunic, a more common M36 RAD tunic was worn for both occasions.
This being seen here as a dress tunic, the young Arbeitsmann is seen wearing the early style 'Robin Hood' style cap which was iconic for the Reichsarbeitsdienst men to wear. The Arbeitsmann is also seen wearing a early belt, before the RAD belt buckle became standard issue, seen here is a claw belt. Also to note is the style of long straight trousers being worn with smart black shoes. Seen topped of with a shirt and tie underneath the tunic. The accompanied badges seen in this post are also seen both in wear in this photograph.
The RAD cap badge is seen in the bottom right of the first photograph, this is seen in wear on the 'Robin Hood' style cap badge. The cap badge is seen in crisp and mint condition with little wear, the enamel is striking in colour and detail to the wheat wreaths are seen with the NSDAP colours and a Swastika in the centre of the shield. Seen behind are the prongs that would have fitted a cap.
The R.A.D (Reichsarbeitsdienst) being the Reich Labour Service that was founded in 1934. Its foundation coming from the 0Weimar Republics voluntary service Freiwilleger Arbeitsdienst (FAD), which when Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933 began its slow development into the RAD. Konstantin Hierl became the Reich Minister of the FAD, he then adopted a mandatory service by men aged 18 to 25. This was to evade rules set by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. The RAD was officially formed in June 1935, Hierl became Reich's Labour Leader (Reichsarbeitsführer) and worked with the Government to make the RAD carry out labour services for mostly military and less for public or civilian use, some agricultural labour projects were still carried out. There was two sections of the RAD, the male RAD/M and the female section RAD/wJ. This was split into 33 districts across Germany, each known as a Arbeitsgau and was split again into six and eight Arbeitsgruppen (work groups), before being included in six smaller RAD - Abteilung units.
The Hitlerjugend diamond pin is seen to the top right, this is seen in wear on the Arbeitsmanns tunic in the centre pleat. This was worn by members of the Hitlerjugend after they had left the organisation. The Hitlerjugend (Hitler youth) allowed for their members to wear the award after leaving the Hitlerjugend at the age of 18 years old. This is seen here with the young Arbeitsmann, suggested to be in his early 20s. The Hitlerjugend being the youth organisation that was founded in 1922, with the aims of including the youth of Germany into the concept of National Socialism at a young age. Activities consisted of similar to the scouting movement (which was banned in 1935) and the Hitlerjugend became mandatory for the youth of Germany on 26th December 1936.
This is is a crisp photograph of a young Reichsarbeitsdienst Arbeitsmann in his family's home garden, a baby's pram nearby. A photograph that would be kept close, likely taken before or just after the young Arbeitsmann has been on parade with his Arbeitshruppen. A photograph showing the early RAD tunic pre 1936 with a Hitlerjugend pin in wear, showing his HJ membership, seen by the Pin accompanying the post from the collection. Also seen is the Cap badge in mint condition that accompanies the post in wear seen on the 'Robin Hood' style hat.
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