Genuine 13th Australian Light Horse - "The Devils Own".
 

Gentlemen,
I've often heard our Antipodean members lamenting about the lack of Good Australian items for sale! Well here goes, it is one of my Ebay listings, so apologies if some members don't agree with the touting of wares on this Forum, but it is a scarce item and I thought it would be of interest to Australian members.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Genuine-WW1-Au...item43a20fda3f

The 13th Light Horse Regiment was formed at Broadmeadows in Victoria in March 1915; it was the third light horse regiment to have been raised in that state. Its regimental number quickly led to it becoming known as the "Devil's Own" regiment. It left Australia on 28th May and disembarked in Egypt on 29th June 1915. After Gallipoli, it saw active service mostly on the Western Front in France. The regiment was disbanded on 30th April 1919.

The cap badge and collars were unofficial in that they were purchased at regimental expense, but were worn as in the photo on the attached link:

http://www.australian-armour.com/ALH_13ALH.html

The starting price is a little high but it is a badge I have had for a long time and I have never seen another genuine example.

hi andy
i often read from all the learned gentlemen of british badges especially the early QVC helmet plates on this forum "this badge has been copied to death and unable/difficult to tell the difference"
well, maybe this is the reason this badge hasnt sold. there are several australian badges that collectors are sceptical of and this is one of them.
bc

BC,
I'm more than happy that it is genuine! It was probably blackened when it started out, the blackened finish has been worn with age, not IMO faked and the pattina is 1st class too! I believe these were made in Egypt?

Andy

hi andy
i can tell you that in australia at any military fair, you will find several examples of this badge with subtle variations in colour/patina weight/ deffinition etc. they should be rare but there not.
bc

Hi andy yes your look ok here the one i have i got this from H King with his medals 6 years a go sadly i sold the medal i wish i keep them now

Attachment 30682

Attachment 30683

Peter,
thanks! I have no doubt "whatsoever" that this one is not genuine! Although yours retains more of it's original blackened finish!

MT

Andy

Hi Andy
I am not saying yours is not genuine. I do not doubt this badge or you, but, you wondered why you couldn’t sell it and I am giving you the reason. All experienced Aussie collectors are wary of this badge unless of impeccable provenance
BC

BC,
I do not ever recall saying that I could not sell the badge? I only listed it on my site the other day and it already has a healthy amount of watchers! If it sells or not is another matter, I'm sure anyone who knows what to look for in a genuine example will be waiting with a snipe?

Andy

After all this blood sweat and tears over the 13th LH's badge, anyone wanna see a genuine 13th colour patch?

Yes please.

My 13th doesn't look like either of the two badges shown here. It does share the same patination and painted finish as Peters.

More than happy to see a 13th colour patch, assuming it does look like its been in the trenches and shows nearly 100 years of age :D

13th Aust Light Horse "Dancing Devil"
 

Hi Andy

Your badge looks good to me and the same as one that l have, the large oval lugs are in the right place etc. Jeff Cossum in his Aust'n Army Badges Part 2, 1900 to 1930 lists it as Unofficial A. I. F. 1912 - 1918 (C180). There must have been a lot made as they do turn up all the time at Militeria fairs.

Any other official 1912 - 1918 Light horse badges sell for many hundreds of Aussie Dollars where as the Dancing Devils do not.

I hope that this helps

Regards

Phil

I believe this badge was heavily reproduced during the 1980s.

Mick

Here goes. And before one of you bright sparks says it's just a 24th Bn patch on its side, this one has the same dull red as my Div Cyclist Coy patch, rather than the richer red on my 24th and other infantry patches. So as far as I'm concerned it's 13th LH!

Actually, of course, the patch is technically that of the 2nd Div cavalry regt, which just happened to be 13th LH (i.e. any unit could have been put into that role and would have been allocated the same patch). But when (as in the British Army) div cav units were 'devolved upwards' to corps level, the 13th were allowed to take the patch with them when they became 1st Anzac Mtd Regt and then Aust Corps Mtd Regt.

Also, as Glyde (32A and 32B) shows, there was some confusion in official sources as to whether the red or the white half faced towards the wearer's front. Apparently it was supposed to be the red half.