Further note.....
from 'The Hood Battalion' book........After a Divisional inspection by General Shute on 3rd November 1916, the Hood Batn. (presume also the other Batns at same time) were presented with Cap badges ,for the first time !! This was at a time when it was being 'attempted' to change the RND from using basically Naval traditions,etc to the Army's ones, in line with the rest of Army in France. But eventually not found to be successful though !
Nice to know the date of the badge issue here.
Cheers !
Steve