I am sure that the need for scouting ahead of, and on the flanks of, a unit in war has always existed. On the large scale, it was a cavalry task.
On the unit scale, Baden-Powell of Mafeking and Boy Scout fame perceived a need to formalise and specialise to get the best results. Ideally, a man appointed scout would be fit, active, intelligent, skilled at using cover,a good shot, able to make a good assessment and report accurately. Scouts were officially integral to cavalry and infantry units. Each unit was to appoint a subaltern as Scout Officer with a sergeant as deputy and a few junior NCOs. The best trained were appointed regimental [or battalion] scouts and received the badge with cross bar. At company level there was a small number of scouts, wearing the badge without cross bar. The badge was introduced in 1903 and discontinued in 1921, having been reduced in size in 1907. There is some confusion regarding scouts serving in India. Native troops and most British infantry had a small S in a small wreath as an appointment badge, whereas most British cavalry wore the Home badge. During the Great War the role embraced sniping and observing. |
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Is this the 'small 'S' in a small wreath' badge to which you refer (approx. 35mm diameter): http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=144285 Regards, JT |
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A couple of scouts from the Monmouthshire regiment
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regards |
Excellent. Thank you.
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Yes, that is the India pattern scout badge. It was also made in worsted, which renders pale on dark on period photos, so may be off-white on a scarlet background when worn on KD.
To my knowledge, this little badge pre-dates all the other "in wreath" badges by a few years. |
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A Scout from the Northamptonshire Regiment.
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A Welsh Regiment Scout out in India.
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Just interested in who wore the large metal badge mostly. regards |
My guess is that it is the 1st battalion, pre November 1914. However, it could also be one of the Territorial battalions that served in the Middle East.
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Thankyou
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Either way, a very unusual photo. |
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You would think insignia of the large size and in metal would draw fire from a sniper if the opportunity arose. Personally I like the unofficial more drab version, but all credit to anyone who earned the right to wear 'Scout' insignia.
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I don’t think it’s India, if I recall correctly the SD cap was not issued to troops on Indian establishment, who instead continued to be issued with the field service cap in drab.
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