Cloth Experts - Need Held Dated Rare Despatch Rider Patch???
 

Hi Chaps,

I was thrilled to have this wonderful and rare Despatch Rider cloth patch arrive today and would welcome opinions from forum members, especially those with expertise in early/WWI cloth.

It's reasonably well documented in period photos that the DR/Wheel badge (a rare patch) dates to WWI. The DR Winged/Wheel in it's various forms (from period photos) dates to WWII.

The patch I present here seems to be an early version of the Winged/Wheel patch and is of a design I have not seen before. To my eyes the construction also looks very early.

So I'm wondering if there is any possibility it could date from WWI or early post war/inter war.

It's a terrific patch and I'm not invested either way but thought I would throw it out for discussion and in the hopes that those members with more knowledge than I on early cloth could offer assistance.

Cheers,

Roy

Hi Roy,

The heavy style of embroidery is typical of pre WW1/WW1 pieces in my experience. I would say late WW1 early 1920s just based on the quality of the embroidery.

Regards

Mark

Hi Mark,

Thank you for that, very interesting. Not being an expert on cloth that was my 'gut' feeling, so good to read this.

Cheers,

Roy

Roy,

I have seen those 'tiny' wings on South African badges. Could be one of theirs.

regards

Thanks for that Simon,

An interesting observation.

Cheers,

Roy