St.Blaize Rifles
 

Hi, I found this badge recently and was surprised to find that it was actually South African. A very short lived Cape Unit that was only around for a couple of years just before Union. I thought that I would share it as it is unusual. Have a great day. Andrew

Now that is unusual. What do you know about the unit ? Whereabouts in the Cape were they based ?
Regards
Mike

Hi Mike, as far as I can tell they were close to Mossel Bay. Regards Andrew

That's a very nice find, Andrew. Thanks for posting it.

Some additional info about this unit : it was formed on 1 April 1907, under command of Captain William Wright, and disbanded on 31 December 1909. Like other volunteer units which closed in 1908-09, it seems to have been a victim of the defence budget cuts imposed by the Merriman ministry in 1908.

Their dress regulations provided for the following insignia :

Cap badge : Cape Colony coat of arms

Smasher hat badge : 'St Blaize' (curved) over 'Rifles' (horizontal).

Collar badge : St Blaize lighthouse within a circle.

Another one, I've never heard of! well done Andrew

regards, Iain

I am always envious of South African badge collectors as there seems to be no end of small units that produced their own badges of all types in the late Victorian period, which creates a fantastic learning curve in that field of collecting and lots of opportunities.

Another nice badge for your collection Andrew, well done.

regards

Thanks Arthur, awesome information. I thought that the badge was a bit big to be a shoulder title. Do you maybe have any pictures? I am now intrigued by the collar badge. I wonder what size coat of arms for the cap badge? Have a great evening. Andrew

Thanks everyone. I am very chuffed to have this badge. Have a great evening. Andrew

Hi Andrew

Sorry, I have no pictures. In fact, yours is the first pic I've ever seen of any of this unit's insignia.

Two other items from the dress regs which I overlooked in my earlier post :

Shoulder title : SBR.

Puggaree for smasher hat : jackal skin.

Thanks Arthur, this information is invaluable. Have a great evening. Andrew

Just show that there are still some gems to be found out there, well done!

Thanks Alex. Enjoy Christmas eve. Andrew

Tx for sharing gr8 find.

Andrew thanks for showing, must be close to unique! Would never have taken this for an SA badge!

Brian