[GCR817]

Originally Posted by Phillip Herring

I was fortunate that my godfather gave me all of his badges a number of years ago. He was a Lieutenant in the Recce Corps (British Army), VIII Recce (Cdn Army) and RCD's.
Among his cap badges were VIII Recce in w/m and brass overlay, VIII Recce collar badge and 14th CANADIAN LIGHT HORSE in brass.
Neither of the cap badges could be described as officers'.
I have never heard of LIGHT HORSE officers' badges and I would guess (this is an invitation to anybody to prove me wrong) that even though the 14th CLH/VIII Recce were initially badged as 14 CLH, they were initially an "ad hoc" unit formed from troops serving in 2nd CID. Chris Brooker has written about LCol Mann (the CO) initiating the VIII Recce badge as opposed to the 14th CLH badge in order to foster esprit de corps. Quite possibly there was no opportunity to get officers' badges made.
Ref the VIII Recce sans overlay, I was told by a well respected collector that this was the first issue.
I have seen cast examples and was told that they were made in Holland by melting down coins.
Any comments?

Enjoy!

Geoff