Kolar Gold Field Volunteers
 

What would this brooched badge have indicated? It is 60mm in width. Mike
Attachment 161171

Hello Mike

As you probably know, the Kolar Gold Field Volunteers was a volunteer unit in British India. Formed in 1903, they became the 43rd Kolar Gold Field Battalion in 1917. The 1911 date does not appear to be of any special significance as regards, formation, change in title, disbandment and so on.

Perhaps one of our Indian Army specialists can shed some more light on the badge and date.

Regards
Roger

My guess, and it's only that, is that it is either a sweetheart pin or, more likely, IMO, a shooting prize or something of the sort, awarded by the unit for some competition in 1911.

1911
The Coronation on Dec 11th in Delhi of King GeorgeV and Queen Mary as Emperor of India and Empress Consort respectively ???
Paul

Good thinking, Paul! Perhaps indicating that the wearer was present. Though, if he were lucky, he's have gotten the gong.

Does the back tell us anything? Is there a pin, a slot for a ribbon or...?

1911 links
 

The KGFRV was represented at the Delhi Durbar 1911.

Officers and men of this unit awarded the DD Medal were -
Lt Col CA Paterson, Maj RHP Bullen, Capt AFJ Weeks,
Color Sgt Instr P. Stewart, Color Sgt P. Limes, Sgt G. Lee,
Corporal GA Harman, L/Corporal F. Bance and Volunteers
G. Benn White, W. Heard, J. Roberts, Z Batista.

Others:

Volunteer Units such as the CLH were also present at the
1911 Durbar (providing 1 Tp forming part of the King's
mounted escort)

Another, The Behar Light Horse was inspected at Arah by
King George V on 17 Dec 1911 ( 22 Officers & 167 NCOs/ OR )

The AVLH were in the Abor Expedition 1911

Just a very neatly applied pin - no markings at all. I'll post an image when I can find the brooch! Mike

The badge illustrated in the opening post is a shooting prize badge. Worn on the upper left arm sleeve by eligible members of Indian Volunteer units

The badge is known in several variants. One example seen has an applied white metal badge of the Indian Volunteer Rifle Association, and was awarded to participating 'winning' shooting team members who shot in the annual Viceroy's Competition. Others seen have regimental insignia applied. All badges seen have been dated (engraved). The badges were awarded under the auspices of the Indian Volunteer Rifle Association, which group managed a variety of popular annual shooting competitions open to volunteer shooting teams in India and Burma.

Attached find a pre 1914 group photograph of a 'Shooting Team' of the 1st Battalion Great Indian Peninsula Railway Volunteers, that includes shooters wearing a similar type badge to that illustrated.

Although the photo is 'grainy' it can be seen that the shooting badge is being worn by at least 2 x volunteers vis, the volunteer standing second from right, and the volunteer sitting second from left (just discernible on arm).

Note that at least 3 x volunteers in the photo are wearing various shooting medals and badges (person standing second from right wears a similar badge, plus 3 x shooting prize awards 'shields' on his left arm, as well as the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal on his left breast; the Volunteer sitting second from right, wears the 1911 Delhi Durbar on his left breast, with the 'Best Shot of Indian Volunteers' medal and a further shooting medal on his right breast; the Volunteer sitting second from left is festooned with awards, including 5 x shooting medals and 3 x pin-back shooting badges on his right breast, and a 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal on his right breast in addition to his shooting badge worn on the left arm sleeve

As information.

Mark

Mark,

Thank you, for a great post on an old topic.

Peter