Posted 10 years ago
Chrisnp
(310 items)
If you started here, you’re at the wrong end and reading my posts out of order! Go to part one! I’ve used many references, over the years, but the one I’ve had beside me while typing these posts was “British Army Cap Badges of the First World War” by Peter Doyle and Chris Foster. I would be doing them a disservice if I ended this series without mentioning where so much of this information came from.
1. The Highland Light Infantry badge is based on the star of the Order of the Thistle along with the hunting horn of the light infantry. It’s a pretty light strike, which makes me question it, but it’ll do till something better comes along.
2. The Seaforth Highlanders glengarry badge shows the stag from the Earl of Seaforth and derives from the story of a clansman who saved the king from a rampaging stag by cutting off its head, which is why this stag has no neck.
3. The Gordon Highlanders glengarry badge features the stag and a ducal cornet for the Duke of Gordon, who raised the regiment.
4. The Queen’s own Cameron Highlanders glengarry badge displays St Andrew bearing his cross. Another light strike I hope to upgrade.
5. The Prince of Wale’s Leinster Regiment (Royal Canadians) was originally raised in Canada during the Indian Mutiny. The Regiment was disbanded in 1922 with the creation of the Irish Free State.
6. The Royal Munster Fusiliers originated from East India Company regiments, hence the royal tiger. It was disbanded in 1922 with the creation of the Irish Free State. This badge is cast rather than stamped on a press. I’ve showed the badge to knowledgeable collectors who believe it’s an original made locally for troops stationed in India.
7. Princess Louise’s (Argyll and Southerland Highlanders) was the largest badge in the British Army. This is the first badge I owned, before I ever thought of collecting the series. I got it at as a teenager from a second hand shop near the Washington/British Columbia border. Based on the lug style, its likely WWI or earlier.
8. The Royal Dublin Fusiliers originated from two East India Company regiments, one bearing the royal tiger and the other bearing the elephant. The Regiment was disbanded in 1922 with the creation of the Irish Free State.
9/The Rifle Brigade bears the Maltese cross of the rifle regiments. As a rifle regiment it bore no colors, so its battle honors are on the arms of the cross. This one has also had its slider cut off and replaced by loops, as well as being bent to fit the curves of the cap.
In memory of “The Old Contemptibles” of 1914.
LEST WE FORGET!
Fantastic collection, post and information Chrisnp! So interesting. Thank you for putting it together and sharing.
Years ago when I started collecting WWI, randomly, people would always ask me why. I just couldn't understand why they would ask.
Thanks Chrisnp for these posts.
In honour of all who have served.
Thanks Amber, In terms of "why WWI", I really think 1914 was the true end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century - Socially, politically, militarily, and technologically. So much of what we take for granted as just how things are - were not that way prior to the war.
But for you there may have been a sexist undertone in asking why you'd collect WWI - War stuff is still considered MANtiques buy some old knuckle draggers. :)
Thanks for the comments racer4four, valentino and vetraio50. It's both appropriate and important that we remember those sacrifices so long ago.
Thanks for the love Amber, racer4four, NativeJewelerylovers, blunder, Manikin, valentino97 and vetraio50.
Thanks petey.
And thanks for the love fortapache.