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Rm567

21-10-22 09:58 PM

Help identifying badge

1 Attachment(s)

Hello, I'd appreciate some help identifying this badge.

I belive its to the royal engineers, who were attached to the 57th division?

However I'm unsure what 'sl' means. Can anyone shed some light on this?

Thanks!

Sonofacqms

21-10-22 10:24 PM

RE badge

Showing the reverse of any badge is always a help in identifying what it is, this looks like a gilt collar badge or an officers F/S cap badge, but could be a sweetheart brooch.

Rob

badgecollector

22-10-22 03:23 AM

without seeing the back it looks like a sweethearts badge.
could sl be for searchlight?
i know its normally RA but where they also RE at some point?
bc

mike_vee

22-10-22 06:52 AM

Could the 'sl' stand for "second line" ? :confused:

Quote:

On 31 August 1914 the War Office authorised the formation of a reserve or 2nd-Line unit for each Territorial Force (TF) unit that was proceeding on overseas service. The 2nd West Lancashire Division came into existence in November 1914, composed of 2nd-Line duplicates of the battalions of the peacetime West Lancashire Division that were due to be sent overseas. The 1st-Line division was temporarily dispersed as its units went to France piecemeal, many of the divisional staff and support elements transferring to the new formation, which became 57th (2nd West Lancashire) Division in August 1915.

Rm567

22-10-22 08:03 AM

It's a sweetheart badge and it's engraved to the rear with Jan 31st 1917

Phil2M

22-10-22 10:56 AM

Looks like BL to me?

mike_vee

22-10-22 11:46 AM

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil2M (Post 589633)

Looks like BL to me?

Even 'enhanced' it's not really clear , perhaps it is more obvious "in hand". :confused:

The 57 TH looks more like 57 TK , so maybe just a poor engraver ?

.

Rm567

22-10-22 12:06 PM

I've had another look and it's definately 'sl' but with a small line under it. The th is the same so it's maybe something used to denote super script?

adb63

22-10-22 07:41 PM

57th RE

I think it's an abbreviation of DIVISIONAL. So 57th Divisional Engineers.

Rm567

22-10-22 07:58 PM

Thanks. Suspected that. Any idea what the sl stands for?

CAM	22-10-22 08:34 PM

50TH Div SL RE 50th Divisional Royal Engineers (Underlined superscript to show abbreviation - still seen occasionally e.g. in Co for County - sorry cannot copy and paste superscript on this site.)

3dg	22-10-22 08:39 PM

The "SL" being part of the Divisional, as in DIVi'S'iona'L', so 57th Divisional Royal Engineers.
Cheers
Chris

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