Seeking ID of WW1 Volunteer Regiment badge.

[Toby Purcell]

Can anyone help with the identity of the enclosed unit insignia? At first I thought it was the 30th Infantry Battalion of the CEF, whose cap badge was a quite similar shape, but the close up image proved otherwise. I now think it might be a badge of a Volunteer Force, Volunteer Regiment, formed towards the end of the war from the previous Volunteer Training Corps (VTC) units. But which unit is it? As an example titles might read something like 2nd Birmingham [Volunteer] Regiment. This has become a real mystery and I’d appreciate help in tracking this down.

[Alan O]

Toby

The 1918 VB wore either the CGS Coat of Arms or the regiment badge they were affiliated to (without the honours). Some retained VTC ones but there were no 'new' VB ones to my knowledge.

He looks Colonial.

Alan

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Alan O

Toby

The 1918 VB wore either the CGS Coat of Arms or the regiment badge they were affiliated to (without the honours). Some retained VTC ones but there were no 'new' VB ones to my knowledge.

He looks Colonial.

Alan

As I understood it there were quite a number of Volunteer Regiment badges post VTC, but they were replaced at the very end of the war by badges identical to regulars. The Armistice came before very many units had been so equipped. However, there is a book on all the VTC and VF badges by Ray Westlake but I don’t possess a copy, perhaps my wires are crossed. For example, isn’t one of the City of London badges below VTC and the other VR? It has appeared that the sequence was 1914-15 VTC badges. 1916-17 GS badges. Early 1918 initially VR badges of individual design, late 1918 ordered to wear regimental insignia. If that’s so then VTC and VR insignia were separate and sandwiched around GS badges.

[Tinto]

Hello Toby,
Wording looks like BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Regards, John

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Tinto

Hello Toby,
Wording looks like BRITISH COLUMBIA.
Regards, John

Thank you John that’s really helpful. I’m wondering if a new badge has been discovered (although that ostensibly seems unlikely) as the British Columbia CEF unit was numbered 30th and had a different cap badge design albeit with some distinct similarities around shape and construct. It gets curiouser and curiouser.

[Sonofacqms]

I think it's a variation of the 2nd BRITISH COLUMBIA BTN, in Babin's book two variations are shown, one similar with "30" in place of the "2" and the other with a "2" superimposed on a maple leaf with "BRITISH COLUMBIA" on the scroll below.

Quite how a "30" fits in I will leave up to others to explain, Lt Col. J.A. Hall was the commanding officer.

Rob

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

I think it's a variation of the 2nd BRITISH COLUMBIA BTN, in Babin's book two variations are shown, one similar with "30" in place of the "2" and the other with a "2" superimposed on a maple leaf with "BRITISH COLUMBIA" on the scroll below.

Quite how a "30" fits in I will leave up to others to explain, Lt Col. J.A. Hall was the commanding officer.

Rob

I’ve just been commenting on those badges to which you refer in the Great War Forum. As things stand it seems to imply that the feeder infantry battalion sent to Britain to support the 1st British Columbia’s was numbered 7th IB and the equivalent feeder sent for the 2nd British Columbia’s was numbered 30th IB. However, even if so it doesn’t explain why badges marked 30th can be readily found, but badges marked 2nd cannot. It’s very perplexing at the moment.

[Sonofacqms]

Apart from the technicalities, 1st British Columbria is one of my favourite Canadian badges, I would love a 2nd . . !

Rob

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

Apart from the technicalities, 1st British Columbria is one of my favourite Canadian badges, I would love a 2nd . . !

Rob

Apparently it was the prototype badge for 2nd BC Regiment and was withdrawn in 1916. Details can be seen at canadiansoldiers.com - scroll down to just past 30th Battalion: https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/ins...7%20-%2035.pdf