Durban Light Infantry?

I believe this badge is to the Durban LI, but would welcome any additional info.

Durban LI (1).jpgDurban LI (2).jpg

With thanks,

Peter

[Traist]

Hi Peter, Durban Light Infantry is correct. White metal cap badge, worn 1919-1964. Regards Andrew

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Peter, Durban Light Infantry is correct. White metal cap badge, worn 1919-1964. Regards Andrew

Superb... many thanks, Andrew.

Forgive my ignorance, but was there ever a beret badge to this unit? This one measures approx 40mm x 40mm.

With thanks,

Peter

[iaindh]

Hi Peter,

they were still Royal Durban Light Infantry then, post 64, after SA became a republic, the Royal was dropped and the crown relocated in a differant design.

Prior to 1918, from 1902, the DLI badge was like this:

Durban Light Infantry.JPG

there is no reference to a beret badge so the cap badge must have doubled up. I stand to be corrected.

regards,

Iain

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Peter,

they were still Royal Durban Light Infantry then, post 64, after SA became a republic, the Royal was dropped and the crown relocated in a differant design.

Prior to 1918, from 1902, the DLI badge was like this:

Attachment 48469

there is no reference to a beret badge so the cap badge must have doubled up. I stand to be corrected.

regards,

Iain

Hello Iain,

How's you, mate?

Thanks for this. Having looked at your rather nice badge, I now remember where I heard mention of The Durban LI, previously:

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ad.php?t=17633

Thanks to you lot, I'm always learning something unexpected on this forum.

Thanks again, Iain.

All the best,

Peter.

[CftD]

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Peter,

they were still Royal Durban Light Infantry then, post 64, after SA became a republic, the Royal was dropped and the crown relocated in a differant design.

Prior to 1918, from 1902, the DLI badge was like this:

Attachment 48469

there is no reference to a beret badge so the cap badge must have doubled up. I stand to be corrected.

regards,

Iain

So, did the Durban Light Infantry wear a cap badge identical to that worn by the Durham Light Infantry ? David

[Traist]

Originally Posted by Counsel for the Defence

So, did the Durban Light Infantry wear a cap badge identical to that worn by the Durham Light Infantry ? David

Yes they did. If it has slider on the DLI badge then it is not Durban, as the ones they had only had lugs on. Regards Andrew

[Traist]

Hi Iain/Peter,

The refrence cap badge is generaly used in SA for a headress badge. It would have been the same badhe on a beret and a cap in this case.

Regards

Andrew

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Peter,

they were still Royal Durban Light Infantry then, post 64, after SA became a republic, the Royal was dropped and the crown relocated in a differant design.

Prior to 1918, from 1902, the DLI badge was like this:

Attachment 48469

there is no reference to a beret badge so the cap badge must have doubled up. I stand to be corrected.

regards,

Iain

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Iain/Peter,

The refrence cap badge is generaly used in SA for a headress badge. It would have been the same badhe on a beret and a cap in this case.

Regards

Andrew

Thanks, Andrew.

PJ

[iaindh]

Hi Peter,

I'm well thanks, early spring here, temps are 27 C so loving it.

I don't know the history but who knows, when the DLI/DLI was introduced originally in 1895 with the imperial crown, maybe the CO was an expat Durham lad.

Hi Andrew, thanks for the clarification on the cap/beret.

regards,

Iain

[Brian Conyngham]

Guys

A little bit of trivia here, I was stationed at DLI during 1989 for 2 months cleaning up their admin after their clerk had passed away. During this stint the DLI had a large parade which included a march through the Durban City Centre, they had run out of modern DLI badges and we were sent to the stores to see if we could find some. Lo and behold we came across a box +- 50 odd 1902 period badges (lug version) still in mint condition, these were issued out to the new DLI troops who only had their Bok Infantry badges. They were never returned so these in theory were still "official" well into the 1980's.

Regards
Brian

[Traist]

Thank you for sharing. It is strange things like this that make dating items almost impossible. A very grand story, I'll remember it. Regards Andrew