Possible West Riding Artillery Cap Badge
 

Hello everyone,

I bought the attached badge this weekend from a boot sale - the seller told me that he found it in a river whilst metal detecting, which explains it's sorry state! I've had a look through old posts on the forum to try and learn more about it, and I think that it may be the cap badge for the 3rd West Riding Brigade RFA (TF). I have some questions about it, and I was wondering if anyone could help me?

My first question is if it's a genuine badge. I know that the RA variant badges, including the 'West Riding' badge are widely faked, but according to the old posts I read, the 'W.Riding' badge is not faked. Is this true, and was this badge genuinely lost years ago in the river or was it hurled in by a frustrated collector!

My second question is on condition. I know that this badge is in rough shape, but if it is genuine, is it a good idea to use something like renaissance wax or something similar to try and preserve the badge? Or, is it better just to leave it alone? Since taking the photos I've carefully removed the little stones from the badge and given it a light clean with soap and water.

Lastly, am I right in thinking that it belongs to the 3rd West Riding Brigade RFA (TF) and does anyone know roughly when and where this badge would have been worn?

Thank you for your time everyone!

Yes it’s genuine. A scarce badge so great shame it’s in such poor relic condition. Still a good find.

I’d probably just stabilise it with WD40 to neutralise the active verdigris and prevent further corrosion.

You could try and go further dipping it in vinegar to remove the corrosion and patina but I expect you’d be left with a bright shiny badge with a considerably pitted and unevenly worn surface which would look very odd and never be the condition of a non-dug item.

I’ll leave question 3 to someone else.

In response to question 3, its was definately worn by the 3rd W.Riding Brigade RFA (TF) BUT Westlake doesnt discount it having been worn by the other WR Brigades, but finds it probable that it was just the 3rd.

Worn from 1908 and no doubt not manufactured after the start of the Great War.

regards

Luke and Simon, thank you very much for your quick replies, and for the best answers that I was hoping for too!

I'll try using WD40 on the badge and hopefully I'll be able to take better care of it than when it was stuck in the river

Very nice , a great find , literally!!

Gerard

i`m not sure it was RFA, i had always thought it was a Heavy Battery, RGA, see link below

https://military-history.fandom.com/...ison_Artillery

The badge is firmly RFA and not RGA or RHA.
Is there something within the link you provided that says they wore this cap badge, I cant find it if there is?

regards

Hello Simon,

Purely for my own education, can you tell me why this badge is RFA and not RGA/RHA please?

Regards,

Andy C

Andy,

I will let Norman Litchfield explain.

regards

Hi Simon,
i would not like to question Norman`s comments, thanks for posting the extract. Every day is a school day,
kind regards, Dave:)

Many thanks Sir.