Cap badge backings
 

Im working on a display of cap badges for a general period of 1900-1920. Cavalry Infantry and Yeomanry. Just trying to figure out if its worth put backings to those who would have had them and which ones they would be. I know about DCLI and I think South Lancashire had a similar red insert, same as the Royal Scots.. What others would have had them in that era? I do have the Badge backings and special embellishments book but it is a bit more modern looking.

Colin

Not aware that the S. Lancs had a backing, at least during that time frame. Most rifle regiments did of course as well as the R. Scots and DCLI you mentioned, although during WW1 even these were often dispensed with.


CB

1st Bn The Royal Scots had a red backing to the voided centre, The 2nd Bn a green backing, I don't know the dates re the use of the green backing.

Suffolk Regt
 

The Suffolk Regiment had a red insert behind the castle.

KRRC had also a red backing.

Rob

Hi Colin

There are some colour plates in a book by Duncan Crow "British and Commonwealth Armoured Formations (1919-46)" where this has been attempted, I have no idea how accurate this is but to me it looks very pretty but sort of incomplete because its not uniform and of my lack of knowledge.

Rob

Some of those backings were likely not actually worn in service, but in any case, all are well past 1920; most being post WW2.


CB

Thank you for all your replies in information, I was hoping for a few more to add a splash of colour but it will have enough.

Colin

The Royal Munster Fusiliers wore a green shamrock as a backing in the service dress cap.


The style and dimensions tended to vary by battalion, for example

1st Bn. & 8th (Service) Bn. RMF, in his Aug, 1917 response to the National War Museum Questionnaire, the then OC of 1st Bn. RMF , Lt. Col R.H. Monck-Mason, provides the following information. “At Coventry, before proceeding to the Dardanelles the shamrock was adopted on the cap worn under the badge, sample attached. The larger one worn by the men and the smaller one by officers. This was adopted in February 1915”.
Later in his response he goes on to mention that after the absorption of the 8th Bn. RMF by 1st Bn. RMF on Nov. 23, 1916, “The actual cap shamrock worn by officers is a padded one with a beaded edge. I regret I have none to send you but Mssrs. B. Johnstone (Tailor) has the necessary pattern that is worn under the small brass grenade with the silver tiger on the ball of the grenade”.

2nd Bn. RMF, A green shamrock badge backing, 2¾ in. high inclusive of stem and 2¼ in. wide.

John

Are any cap badge backings featured in "The Badges of Kitchener's Army" by Peter Bilton?
(I'm not in a position to check at the moment).

Whilst RMF officers seemed to be consistent in wearing the shamrock cap backing, ORs seem to have dispensed with it for the most part, at least in the field. I am sure there must be photos extent, but I have yet to see one with the ORs version in wear. Does anyone have an example of this shamrock?
I have seen RMF officer badges for sale in years past with a shamrock, but I think they were highly likely to be much later replacements.

CB

PS, I found a photo on the web of W. Cosgrove VC wearing a shamrock, with small collar grenades as well. This would be a publicity photo and I am sure he was dressed properly for it.
Conversely, I also saw a photo of a WW1 officer without the shamrock backing!