Unusual South African Irish Regiment
 

A photo taken in South Africa c1940. The badge is similar to an 8th Hussars NCO's arm badge. I've picked up both cast brass and cast white metal versions. Both from dealers in South Africa. Can't tell if the badge in the photo is die struck or cast. But cast South African Irish Regiment badges are not unusual.

That is very interesting indeed; thanks for the info.

Do you have an example of the 8th Hussars badge that you could post alongside your badges for comparison?

Regards
Craig

The SA Irish were also known to wear the London Irish caubeen badge which looks sort of similar.

SAIR & 8th Hussars.
 

8th Hussars badge in centre for comparison. I've seen a number of SAIR photos from 1940. No others show this type of badge worn. Most show all ranks wearing the LIR type badge, Madziro has posted above.

My own SA Irish wartime brass cast with original hackle, same size and design as O637

Attachment 134872

This is what I call a South African "Irish" :)

Nice Frank, WWI?

Indeed, the regiment seems to claim a link with Colonel Brennan's lads, although, quite frankly, I struggle to understand why, I suppose one hundred years does sound good.

If 1940, it could be due to a shortage of official badges with the SAIR being newly raised. Perhaps any Irish-looking badge was worn until the standardised patterns were available? Or, possibly this chap served in a a UK Irish unit before joining the SAIR kept his old badge and nobody noticed?

Agree Frank, owned 2 of them and just 2 months back passed on one to a fellow collector. Rare little bugger these days like all other regimental badges from this era. Was very lucky to find one in a junk store in Cape Town 2 years ago for the princely sum of 2 pounds :D

Brian

SAIR
 

He joined the SAIR in 1940. And had no previous military experience. Perhaps they experimented a bit before settings on the the crown/harp/motto badge.

SAIR WM
 

There is also a WM version of the WWI badge, which no one can quite explain.

Some SA Irish pics
 

Hi,
Reviving old thread with some SA Irish picture found in my archives.

1. Group of SA Irish c.WWI - note cloth shamrock collar badges

2. SA Irish soldier c.WWII

3. SA Irish Pipe Major - 1962 postcard

Pipe Major Symons in the postcard.

Was able to acquire this wonderful badge in Cape Town over Christmas.