Cheshire Regiment Officer's Badges Query

[Paddy]

Hello All

I have the 2 Cheshire Regiment badges pictured below. The left hand one is the same size as the standard Cheshire badge and has a green enamel backing but is not up to the usual standard of an officer's badge, can anyone tell me if this is an officer's badge or perhaps even a SNCO's badge (the 3rd picture is a side view of the larger badge). The right hand badge is the standard small pattern officer's cap badge, can anyone tell me the time period that this would have been worn as the officer's standard cap badge please.

Many thanks

Paddy

[Mercian]

The smaller badge was worn from June 1950 until September 2007.

[Alex Rice]

I don't know if SNCO's wore the officer pattern badge in the Cheshires but I expect so. In my opinion, it is a very nice badge, probably privately purchased but not made by one of the big companies like Gaunt or Firmin.
Cheers,
Alex

[Mercian]

Both badges seem OK the larger type was made for many years from around 1882, so it could just be old. Senior NCO's did wear the officers patter and it looks like they also wore the smaller type. I have the small one in all silver with the green enamel centre for the volunteer's.

[Paddy]

Alex & Mercian

Many thanks for your replies and information. The large badge does look like it has some age so I will keep it as an officers/possible SNCO badge which I am happy with either way.

Paddy

[KLR]

I don't know about Cheshire officers badges (try regmtl archives) but they usually follow the dates and designs of the OR badges (or vice versa !)


Pattern 4564/1897, authorised 2nd Nov 1897
'star faced with Acorn upon a title star'


Pattern 3923/1924, authorised 29th Feb 1924
'WM star with Acorn within a title circlet'

[Mercian]

I don't know about Cheshire officers badges (try regmtl archives) but they usually follow the dates and designs of the OR badges (or vice versa !)


Pattern 4564/1897, authorised 2nd Nov 1897
'star faced with Acorn upon a title star'


Pattern 3923/1924, authorised 29th Feb 1924
'WM star with Acorn within a title circlet'.

Officers wore the Brunswick Star in silver, gilt and green enamel from around 1883. The men wore either a Glengarry badge or an acorn collar badge. According the regimental history the second badge was first worn by the 1st Battalion in December 1900. The officers wore both type of badges until around 1911 when the first type was dropped. In 1924 the officers got their original Brunswick star back, it was a year later before the men received there's .

[Mike B]

Please excuse the very poor quality of the attached images. Lighting bright, cramped corridor, poor photographer - me.

The left hand badge in the fourth row down is Cheshire Regiment - note Brunswick Star.

This confused me - as the display is 1914-18, with the donors including Gerald E Firmin.
It is one of the most impressive displays of Army Badges I have seen - I can not disclose its whereabouts. All are Officer Silver and Gilt.

Comments please - as I would have expected Cheshire WW1 Officer to be the Acorn etc mounted on Star with title scroll below. I have seen a silver and gilt of that pattern (similar to pre 1923 Other Ranks) and assumed it was worn in place of the Brunswick star

[grey_green_acorn]

Mike,
Other items in that display have been the subject of recent threads and it seems there are a number of anomalies and anachronisms in terms of the dating and patterns of the badges included.
It is certainly an impressive display but, although the top plaque dates it as 1914-1918, it would depend upon when it was originally assembled and by whom, I believe by a badge maker or makers? Also the display may have been subsequently refurbished and some content changed.

Tim

[Mike B]

Hi Tim - thanks for the clarification.
It certainly is a thing of great beauty.
Mike

[Mercian]

Hello Mike, I have a Officers Brunswick Star badge by J & Co according to the information that I have it would have been made between 1911-1918. According to the 1901 dress regulation both type of badges were worn, but by the 1911 dress regulation it was not worn, but who knows.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Mercian

Hello Mike, I have a Officers Brunswick Star badge by J & Co according to the information that I have it would have been made between 1911-1918. According to the 1901 dress regulation both type of badges were worn, but by the 1911 dress regulation it was not worn, but who knows.

Wonderful example, great information. You can imagine some officers not taking them down in 1911 ... As you say, who knows. I wonder if any WW1 images will clarify the situation in the future?
Thanks for the information. Could the J&Co stamp on your superb badge be 1906-1918 pattern?.

As Tim says - a number of anachronisms and anomalies present in the display. It looks stunning though.

[Mercian]

I like to think it is the 1906-1918 pattern. It could put the badge in the frame that you posted in the right time period.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Mercian

I like to think it is the 1906-1918 pattern. It could put the badge in the frame that you posted in the right time period.

Very interesting - thanks again - Mike