Irish Militia units
 

Hi all, hoping to tap into the BBF knowledge bank about some older units, specifically Irish Militia, more specifically the Donegal Artillery (The Prince of Wales’s). They were headquartered in my town way back when.

Would they have worn the Donegal Militia cap badge or a royal artillery variant of the above or just simply a period royal artillery variant? For reference, The Donegal Artillery (The Prince of Wales’s) were active between 1855 and 1909 under that name.

Saying there was a cap badge to them, I assume one would be rare and valuable?

Hi BR,

An interesting question, so I will see what replies your are able to get. I have no specific knowledge in this interesting area, so will bow to those who do.

I do however have a nice Donegal Militia button in my small collection which I will show here on the off chance it is of interest. I do also have a few other Irish Militia buttons but this is the only Donegal example.

Cheerio,

Roy

From: The Militia Artillery by Norman E.H. Litchfield
April 1793 The Donegal Infantry Militia
1855 4 of 12 Companies converted to Artillery
November 1855 The Donegal Artillery (The Prince of Wales's) HQ at Letterkenny
1882 retitled 3rd Brigade, North Irish Division, Royal Artillery
1889 retitled The Donegal Artillery (Southern Division, Royal Artillery)
1902 The Donegal R.G.A.(M)
1908 transferred to the Special Reserve Royal Field Artillery
1909 disbanded

1882-1889 officers helmet plate North Irish Division
1889-c1900 officers helmet plate Donegal Artillery
c1890 officers blue field service cap embroidered badge 'Prince of Wales' scroll under plumes, coronet and 'Ich Dien' scrolls under 'The Donegal Artillery' scroll
Otherwise standard Militia Artillery badges.

Rgds, Thomas.

Thanks Roy, as ever with your collection, that's a lovely example. Thanks for sharing it.

Thank you Thomas. I see a north Irish Division helmet plate for sale actually, but it's unfortunately a bit beyond my means.

Getting some militia items from Donegal would be very interesting though.

If anyone has any examples, I'd be very grateful to see them!

Missed this first time around. If still looking, PM me your contact info for details of both The Prince of Wales Own Donegal Militia and The Donegal Artillery (The Prince of Wales’s) Regiment of Militia's uniforms, service and badges.

John