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#1
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Kings Rifles Badge - sent home or blown up?
Hello
I recently received this badge along with the medals of my great uncle who died in 1941. He said that the cap badge belonged to my uncle and was his cap badge during the war. However, my great uncle was blown up. Is it possible that this badge could have been sent home as part of personal effects or will his actual cap badge have been blown up with him. Furthermore, is the red material on the back part of the beret? Thanks in advance. |
#2
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Hello rankfilm, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
__________________
Res ipsa loquitur |
#3
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It cannot be his badge as the plastic badge was not in existence in 1941. His cap badge would have been in metal.
The first plastic cap badges were authorised for production at the end of 1941, This initial batch did not include the KRRC. By June 1942 a further Army Council Instruction was issued, ACI 1337/42, which detailed that in order to save on metals ALL caps badges, both of Regiments and Corps would now be made from plastic. The only exception being would be if the badge could not be made due to technical problem due to the cap badges design. It was also decided that officers rank badges, both "pips" and crowns, would also be made of the same materials. The red cloth was issued and worn behind the badge on the khaki cap. In 1941 he would have worn a side cap which had replaced the peak cap worn before the advent of battledress circa 1939-40. Last edited by Alan O; 24-03-18 at 03:31 PM. |
#4
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Thanks for the quick reply.
Much appreciated. |
#5
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If you relative was in action when killed he would likely have had a helmet on his head unless it happened unexpectedly-shelling or air attack. Any other relative serving a bit later in the war who might have been issued the badge? Regards, Paul.
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#6
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Hi
Not that we know off, he died end of Nov 1941 but if his regiment wasn't part of the first batch of plastic cap badges then I think it must have just been bought at some point in recognition of the regiment he died with. I also have this cap badge from KOSB (see photos) as another relative died in WW1 with the regiment - does anyone know if there is any way to determine the age on these particular badges? Again thanks in advance. |
#7
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The design was the same from 1902 right up to the 1950s so it's impossible to date it.
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#8
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OK, that's great. Thanks again.
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#9
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Welcome, your plastic Rifles badge was made by Hopf Products Ltd between 28 November 1943 and 5 September 1945. They made 78,920 of them.
Rgds, Thomas |
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