Labour Corps Wreath

[Jelly Terror]

Anyone know what the significance is of the Labour Corps wreath being 'hung' upside down?



With thanks,

JT

[Hoot]

JT, It hangs that way because it is suspended from the crown.

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Hoot

JT, It hangs that way because it is suspended from the crown.

Thanks Hoot.

Would you know if there is a reason for it to be suspended upside down though? Is there perhaps some particular (heraldic?) significance in it being orientated thus?

JT

[leigh kitchen]

Does it signify use of the wreath as an an emblem of sacrifice?

[Hoot]

Originally Posted by Jelly Terror

Thanks Hoot.

Would you know if there is a reason for it to be suspended upside down though? Is there perhaps some particular (heraldic?) significance in it being orientated thus?

JT

JT, I dunno, it was like that when I got here!!.

[grenadierguardsman]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Does it signify use of the wreath as an an emblem of sacrifice?

Leigh, i have heard something like that also.
Andy

[Jelly Terror]

Originally Posted by Hoot

JT, I dunno, it was like that when I got here!!.

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Does it signify use of the wreath as an an emblem of sacrifice?

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

Leigh, i have heard something like that also.
Andy

Sounds perfectly feasible. Thanks for your thoughts chaps.

[leigh kitchen]

Trouble with the badge was it looked like it was for a unit of grave diggers.
I preferred it to the later pattern which I feel missed the opportunity to show the sawback & axe more prominently - & of course, had the wreath the other way up.

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

Does it signify use of the wreath as an an emblem of sacrifice?

Edwards in his badge book describes the wreath as follows: 'The laurel wreath denotes military fame achieved by giving expression to the motto.'

The motto is Labor omnia vincit = work conquers everything. So quite the opposite of sacrifice.

Rgds, Thomas

[leigh kitchen]

The wreath isn't necessarily associated with "work" rather than heroism, martial prowess, excellence is it?
The query is why is the wreath shown oriented the way it is.
Maybe it'd fall off the crown or pile of weapons & implements if the "join" was at the top.

[fougasse1940]

The wreath doesn't specifically refer to the 'work' bit but to the 'conquers all' bit.

The wreath is hanging from the ribbon tying the two laurel stalks together. See the extra bits of ribbon below the crown. If placed with the opening at the top it wouldn't be hanging but laying and gravity would place it on top of the scroll obscuring the pickaxe.

Rgds, Thomas

[leigh kitchen]

Which seems the most likely explanation.