Perth Rifle Volunteers QVC

[Chrisr]

I am not sure what this is. In The Volunteer Movement in Western Australia there is a drawn copy of this and it is identified as The Perth Rifle Volunteers Helmet Plate. This is not a helmet plate but a a badge measuring 53mm x 60mm. I assume it may have been worn on a side cap or glengarry.

Cheers
Chris

[badgecollector]

hi chris
it is the general service hat badge of the western australian military forces, worn between 1895 until around 1901.
i have seen them with a non painted/blackened swan, painted swan, an enameled black swan, and a voided swan which had a backing plate with black leather.
yours is a very nice example
BC

[Chrisr]

Hi Mick,

Do you have a reference that cites it as the WA General Service Badge, which implies it was worn by all corps?

The central device and motto have always been associated with the Rifle Volunteers based in Perth; 11th AIR; 88th Bn; 11th Bn and the 11th/44th Bn all of which were recruited in Perth and have a direct lineage from the Perth Rifle Volunteers. In 1899 the Perth Company of Rifle Volunteers, The Fremantle Rifle Volunteers and The Guildford Rifle Volunteers amalgamated to form the 1st Infantry Regiment and in 190O all infantry units were grouped as Battalions of the WA Infantry Brigade which then became the 11th AIR in 1903 on the creation of an Australian Army organization. I am wondering if it might be the badge of either the 1st Infantry Regiment or the WA Infantry Brigade which maybe why it is regarded as the WA General Service Badge.

Regards
Chris

[slick_mick]

I'll have a look at home and see what I can find. I'll ask a mate of mine as well - he knows a fair bit about WA Badges.

Mick