1st Lancashire Rifle Volunteers

[Chay_Fezzar]

I'm guessing 1st Lancs Rif Vols. Does anyone think different? The back looks to be JAs GROVE & SONS - HALESOWEN. The button is in such fantastic condition it's difficult to believe it could be 100 years old

[Peter Brydon]

Yes but a commemorative button from 5th Kings Liverpool’s battle dress blouse . The button commemorates the battalions origins as the 1st Lancs RVC.

P.B.

[leigh kitchen]

That sounds interesting, tell more please?

[Peter Brydon]

Cant remember the exact date but in the the late 1950`s /early 1960`s the 5th Kings had the commemorative buttons and distinctive lanyards in the old volunteer colours ( green/black/silver ) made for their battledress blouses and also adopted chrome Liver birds worn on both sleeves of the blouses.

P.B.

[Peter Brydon]

Should have also said at the same time officers adopted blackened brass rank badges. The second photo is of a Cadet Officers battledress blouse I was offered but turned down as I was not sure if it was all original..
P.B.

[leigh kitchen]

Thanks button for that information.

[Paul Spellman]

An interesting fact that Lt.Bousfield (1st Lancs RV) was the first commissioned Officer of the Rifle Volunteer movement.
The C.O. Of 5th KLR used this to position the Bn as the senior Territorial Bn to Montgomery when they were under threat of disbandment after Beach Gp duties during the invasion of Normandy. It worked and the Bn went on to become part of T Force.
Paul