Dimensions of TMI and ILI badges?

[RobD]

Dear all,
you'll see in the "want to buy" section that I am hoping to put together a display of the badges of the units who served at Spion Kop 24 January 1900. The display will be as a thank-you present for the lodge at Three Tree Hill, at the base of the Kop, in Natal.

I shall buy real (if affordable) or copy (more affordable) badges or helmet plate centres (Boer War era) for the following units:

South Lancashires
Lancashire Fusiliers
Royal Lancasters
2nd Dorsets
2nd Middlesex
2nd Scottish Rifles
Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Royal Engineers
RAMC

Now, for Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry and Imperial Light Infantry: I plan to make my own TMI and ILI badge copies from sheet brass using a jeweller's saw, so I would be grateful to know the dimensions of these badges, and the thickness of the brass sheet I need.
I also understand the TMI title was worn on the slouch hat with a crown above it - did the same apply to ILI (or did they dissolve after almost 100% casualties at Spion Kop?). How big was the QVC crown above TMI?

I do not intend to deceive, rest assured, but any suggestions appreciated!

thanks for any helpful suggestions.
Rob

[fairlie63]

Rob,
A mate of mine has some display boards ex-Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery that were done up for a Boer War display. One has a well known photo of the TMI on it and I am fairly certain that they are wearing the large letters TMI in cloth (red or similar colour) on the turned up brim of their slouch hats.

The consensus is that these were definitely not Tasmanian Mounted Infantry. I will have to inquire further.
Keith

[iaindh]

Hi Rob,


For the TMI and ILI, Owen's is full size and there are 2 designs. I'm not sure of the plate thickness.

regards, Iain

Originally Posted by RobD

Dear all,
you'll see in the "want to buy" section that I am hoping to put together a display of the badges of the units who served at Spion Kop 24 January 1900. The display will be as a thank-you present for the lodge at Three Tree Hill, at the base of the Kop, in Natal.

I shall buy real (if affordable) or copy (more affordable) badges or helmet plate centres (Boer War era) for the following units:

South Lancashires
Lancashire Fusiliers
Royal Lancasters
2nd Dorsets
2nd Middlesex
2nd Scottish Rifles
Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Royal Engineers
RAMC

Now, for Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry and Imperial Light Infantry: I plan to make my own TMI and ILI badge copies from sheet brass using a jeweller's saw, so I would be grateful to know the dimensions of these badges, and the thickness of the brass sheet I need.
I also understand the TMI title was worn on the slouch hat with a crown above it - did the same apply to ILI (or did they dissolve after almost 100% casualties at Spion Kop?). How big was the QVC crown above TMI?

I do not intend to deceive, rest assured, but any suggestions appreciated!

thanks for any helpful suggestions.
Rob

[Frank Kelley]

Quite frankly Iain, I think that is more than enough, unless the intention is to deceive!
Regards Frank

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Rob,

For the TMI and ILI, Owen's is full size and there are 2 designs. I'm not sure of the plate thickness.

regards, Iain

[RobD]

Here are my copies - good enough for my purpose.
I've ensured they don't look like originals, and I've left the back untouched to ensure they are never mistaken as originals.
Rob

[Traist]

Originally Posted by RobD

Here are my copies - good enough for my purpose.
I've ensured they don't look like originals, and I've left the back untouched to ensure they are never mistaken as originals.
Rob

Hi Rob, I appreciate the effort in making sure that no one thinks that they are original in the future. Maybe you could engrave "copy" on the back to make 100% sure some youngster doesn't pick them up as originals when we are all gone and buried. . Have a grand day. Andrew

[RobD]

Thanks Andrew - I will do that!