[Mandy]

Originally Posted by Paddy McGinty

Hi Mandy,

Is there any chance of posting a picture and a quick description for now to get me thinking, I collect London Regiment so may be able to help.

If he was in the 17th Bn he would have been in the Poplar and Stepney Rifles. Which was either a blackened brass or brass badge which consisted of a rifle brigade pattern cross contained within a laurel wreath bearing the honours South Africa on top and bottom cross arms respectively and the dates 1899 / 1902 on the left and right cross arm respectively. On the inner circle of the cross reads the rifle brigade with a bugle surmounted by a Kings crown at the very centre. The whole badge has a Kings crown sitting at the top.

I will post a picture to see if its the right one

Cheers,

Luke

Luke

You have answered a question that I haven't even asked yet - thank you!!!!

I was wanting to know about the badge with my grandads image on, which I have found out is a sweetheart broach. But you spotted that he was in the 17th battalion & went onto describe another badge that I have.
The badge I have fits both your description & photo. It isn't the blackened one, but it is not as shiney as the one in your photo - perhaps it just needs a clean, or am I best to leave it as it is?

As I have no knowledge whatsoever about badges, I presumed that the 1899 - 1902 South Africa badge must have belonged to my gt grandad, as grandad wasn't born until 1898. I thought it had a connection to the Boer War - how wrong could I be?

So was this cap badge worn by all that served in the 17th Battalion London Regt? Have you got anymore info about the Poplar & Stepney Rifles - were they just a small part of the 17th Battalion?

I am trying to find out all the military history of my family, what regt they were in, where they served, what medals they received etc.

Grandad joined up in 1914 at the age of 16 (lied about his age). I only found what regt he was in from the inscription on the side of his British War medal & Victory medal. Which stated 17 - LOND R. I have since found a photo that says Signal Section 3/17th Battalion London Regt. He also had the SWB. He never talked about his time in the war.

Do you know whether the 17th battalion may have been attached alongside the Scots Guards? I have another badge that was amongst his possessions, which I think is Scots Guards, but not confirmed.

Sorry for bombarding you with questions. I would appreciate the help, but if you can't don't worry. Just finding out about the badge was more than I expected.

Thanks again.

Mandy