Wessex Brigade and Wessex Regiment

[ajc347]

I'm trying to get my head around which collar badges were worn by the Devonshire, Dorset, Hampshire and Berkshire contingents of the Wessex Brigade and Wessex Regiment, and am struggling a bit.

In respect of the Wessex Brigade, would I be right in thinking that each regiment wore the sliver aa wyvern cap badge and the collars of their respective regiments (in the same way as the Home Counties brigdage), or did they all wear the silver anodised wyvern collars, and then start wearing the respective collar badges to their individual regiments (along with the new regimental cap badges) once the brigade system was discontinued?

With regard to the Wesex Regiment, did individual companies wear the gold aa wyvern cap badge and the collar badges of their previous TA regiments or did they adopt the use of the wyvern collar badge and wear this until dissolution?

If the Wessex Regiment did wear the collars of their previous regiments, what collars were worn by the 2nd Bn after the 1971 reorganisation?

[Mike H]

The Wessex Regiment Volunteers wore the Wyvern cap and collar badges. A shoulder title a solid Wessex with a coloured background of black or blue. C Coy wore a.green background.
There are a number of threads showing these.
The Wessex brigade,the Wyvern cap badge was worn with the Regimental collar badges and shoulder titles.

[grey_green_acorn]

Andy,
These threads may provide some answers but probably raise more questions!

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=24561

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=84145

Tim

[Neil1689]

Hi Andy, both Mike and Tim are spot on. Please find attached a page from my own notes which my help. Sorry having trouble with document

[Neil1689]

Here is the Document.

[ajc347]

Many thanks Mike, Tim and Neil.

That was exactly the information I was looking for - it makes sense to me now.

[Mike H]

I had a look at the Wessex Military Band which as mentioned previously wore Wessex items.
The person who i assume is the bandmaster is wearing a badge unknown to me. The helmet looks like the type worn by the Devon & Dorset band except for a red band rather than a green one. The helmet plate is done in the style of the early D&D ones. A cap badge mounted on a red disc . The disc extends to the edge of the flat area of the plate rather than a normal helmet plate centre.

[denis pannett]

Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn

Andy,
These threads may provide some answers but probably raise more questions!

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=24561

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=84145

Tim

I was in 1 D&D in Cyprus in 1960 and can confirm what Tim quotes is correct. ORs had gold staybright Wyvern cap badges (usually made by H.W.Timmings Ltd B'ham) and gold and silver stay bright castle collars. Officers had S/P Wyverns, some unmarked and some Gaunt and S/P and gilt collars.
As National Service officers we were only given two S/P cap badges, one for service dress and one for No 1 dress and thus we did not have one for our berets so we used to take a gold anodised one to the cookhouse where it went under the high temperature flames which magically turned it silver in colour for the beret at no cost (as a N/S 2/Lt the pay was only £5 per week so we did not have much to spare after mess bills etc!)
Denis

[ajc347]

Originally Posted by Mike H

I had a look at the Wessex Military Band which as mentioned previously wore Wessex items.
The person who i assume is the bandmaster is wearing a badge unknown to me. The helmet looks like the type worn by the Devon & Dorset band except for a red band rather than a green one. The helmet plate is done in the style of the early D&D ones. A cap badge mounted on a red disc . The disc extends to the edge of the flat area of the plate rather than a normal helmet plate centre.

Thanks Mike.

I've just been looking at the photos on their Facebook page and can see what you mean about the bnadmasters badge - it's huge!!!

I wasn't aware the band even existed until reading about it here. What a totally fascinating bit of local culture. Bridport isn't too far away from me, so I suspect I'll end up checking them out one day.

[ajc347]

Originally Posted by denis pannett

I was in 1 D&D in Cyprus in 1960 and can confirm what Tim quotes is correct. ORs had gold staybright Wyvern cap badges (usually made by H.W.Timmings Ltd B'ham) and gold and silver stay bright castle collars. Officers had S/P Wyverns, some unmarked and some Gaunt and S/P and gilt collars.
As National Service officers we were only given two S/P cap badges, one for service dress and one for No 1 dress and thus we did not have one for our berets so we used to take a gold anodised one to the cookhouse where it went under the high temperature flames which magically turned it silver in colour for the beret at no cost (as a N/S 2/Lt the pay was only £5 per week so we did not have much to spare after mess bills etc!)
Denis

Thanks Denis.

That's really interesting. I'm tempted to take a gold anodised Wyvern I have and see whether I can replicate the process.

[leigh kitchen]

Yes, I didn't know that about gold / silver ringers,- it could explain a strangely silver toned Coldstream Guards anod al that I have.

[Mike H]

Originally Posted by ajc347

Thanks Denis.

That's really interesting. I'm tempted to take a gold anodised Wyvern I have and see whether I can replicate the process.

I wonder if that is why you get some that are very faded gold.

[Neil1689]

First hand knowledge is the best. Could I ask Denis if Other ranks wore the Devon and Dorsets green square behind the wyvern on their berets please.
Thanks Neil

[grey_green_acorn]

Some more Wessex Wyverns:
1 and 2 = FIRMIN. LONDON standard
3 and 4 = the mysterious BEEWYSE LONDON - possibly made for the Wessex Military Band (which is civilian)
5 = Officers plated
6 and 7 = Officers bullion
8 = white metal / pewter??
9 = gold anodised standard

Tim

[denis pannett]

Originally Posted by Neil1689

First hand knowledge is the best. Could I ask Denis if Other ranks wore the Devon and Dorsets green square behind the wyvern on their berets please.
Thanks Neil

Yes Neil, you are correct with green square backing. I meant to put that in but forgot!
Denis