Thanks all for comments so far. This is a fairly common badge which was worn for more than 34 years from 1958-1992. All the badges I have seen are maker marked either J.R.GAUNT LONDON or J.R.GAUNT B'HAM but Chris Marsh also lists FIRMIN, DOWLER AND GROVE.
The BEEWYSE LONDON mark is surely unusual and a mystery with the timeline the key as the badge should have been discontinued at the latest by 1992 as follows:
As the Wessex Brigade badge (K&K 2030) worn from circa 1958 to 1970 when regimental cap badges were adopted.
As the Wessex Volunteers / Regiment (Rifle Volunteers) badge (K&K 2402 but same as brigade) worn from 1967 to 1992 when the two battalions were reformed into sub units of the PWRR and RGBW LI territorial battalions.
Tim
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