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#1
23-02-10, 08:33 PM
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Light Infantry red backing
I thought I'd like to share this info on the origin of the Light Infantry red badge backing.
The wearing of red backing behind the cap badge was originally awarded as a result of the participation of the Light Company of the 46th South Devonshire Regiment (later 2nd Bn DCLI) in an attack on the Americans during the American War of Independence. On the night of 20th September 1777 the Light Companies attacked a detachment of 1,500 Americans lying in the forest of Paoli inflicting 300 casualties and capturing 100 at a cost of only 3 killed. As a result of this action the Americans vowed vengeance, declaring that they would give no quarter. The Light Company in their turn sent word that they would stain the feathers in their caps red, so that others not involved would not suffer. These feathers are now represented by the piece of red cloth worn behind the cap badge. http://www.lightinfantryreunited.co.uk/history.htm 
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#2
23-02-10, 10:32 PM
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In the case of the Royal Berkshires, this became the Brandywine Flash for the actions of the light company of the 49th. Cheers, Paul.
https://www.thewardrobe.org.uk/badge.php
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#4
16-11-17, 10:32 AM
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Was this red backing worn behind the badge during WW1?
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#5
16-11-17, 12:10 PM
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I am sure I have read a similar story for the Black Watch.
Marc
__________________
I am still looking for British Army cloth Formation, Regimental, Battalion, Company and other Unit sleeve badges, from 1980 onwards.
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#6
16-11-17, 03:34 PM
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Thanks for sharing that Dave,
It's great to start the day learning something new. I wore the LI badge with red backing as a kid in the ACF, so it's wonderful to learn this after all these years. Cheerio, Roy
__________________
Collecting: Despatch Rider Insignia & Photographs. Author/Dealer in the Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife My website: www.fsknife.com
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#7
16-11-17, 08:07 PM
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The National Archives has - in it's WO / MoD section - have three large documents concerning badge backing. I know that the first one has data on earlier backings too. I went through them to look up King's information.
32/12979 Regimental Dress and Badges: General (Code43A): Dress distinction for regiments and corps. 1948 - 1961 32/13541 Regimental Dress and Badges: General (Code43A): Dress distinction for regiments and corps. 1949- 1961 32/12479 Regimental Dress and Badges: General (Code43(A)): Army dress committee. 1947-71 Roy[/QUOTE]
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