13 Battalion East Surrey Regt
 

Please could I ask if this would have been the collar badge or cap badge for the East Surreys?

hey
i am no expert and it may have been worn as a cap badge however the general consensus is that lugged badges (like yours) are collars and the badges made with prongs are cap badges
bc

This post may interest you https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...6&postcount=59

Technically it is a collar badge, but there were undoubtedly some instances wherein such badges were pressed into service on the cap. The badge you show is for the regular E. Surrey, not the 13th Bn.

CB

Thank you very much for the informative replies. I had always assumed this was in my family because it belonged to my great grandfather Capt L B Mills MC, he was c/o D Coy, 13th Battalion. The officer in the photo was 2nd Lieut G Deacon also 13th Battalion. Now I'm puzzled, what were the differences? Thanks again.

This is the 13th cap badge

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ictureid=90716

The badge features the town arms rather than the standard East Surrey heraldic devices and was worn in Bronze by officers

I see your grandfather went to France in 1916 and was awarded the MC. he and Lt Deacon get several mentions in the Battalion History.
As a Battersea Boy I have an interest in both the 13th, 10th Queens and 23rd London's.

Steve M

Thanks again, I have a copy of Paul McCues book about the Wandsworth and Battersea Battalions and note that he is mentioned in that a few times. I have also read through the Battalion war diaries and plotted their route through France until he was injured in 1917. Still a bit confused with his badge though, I will have to see what else we have that belonged to him.

Several possibilities as to why he had a standard E. Surrey badge. Perhaps it was just one of his possessions obtained during his service along with other Surrey battalions.
I do wonder if the entire 13th were actually badged with the correct one all through the war, as there was so much flux during the time along with supply problems.

CB

Steve have you seen this photo before -

It is not really clear unfortunately but the best photos I can find of the collar badge on Lacey Mills. Do you think standard East Surrey or 13th Batt?

13th Bn as the We Serve scroll is clearly there.

Yes you're right, I see that now.