16th Infantry Battalion British Columbia Scottish CEF cap badge

[rubicon]

Hello,

Does anyone knows what feature the crown on the 16th Infantry Battalion British Columbia Scottish CEF cap badge? It is not the Imperial Crown expected but a different crown with a thistle flower at the crown's top.
Thanks for help.
Best regards.
J-F

[Bill A]

Hello J-F, I believe it is ducal crown.

[whizzbang]

Afternoon Gents,

It is a coronet of the son or daughter of the Sovereign and is the same as used by the Seaforth Highlanders. In this case, the son is Leopold, Duke of Albany (1853-1884), fourth son of Queen Victoria. Leopold was the C-in-C of the British Seaforth Highlanders. He died young - haemophilia.

Cheers, Ian.

[Bill A]

A link that explains the coronets in British royalty. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coronet...ronet_rankings

[Bill A]

Ian, subsidiary question, why did the 16th Bn adopt that crown? The 16th was composed of elements of four Canadian Scottish regiments in 1914, so did the badge represent elements of all four contributing units?

[whizzbang]

Hi Bill,

The OC of the CEF 16th Bn was Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Gilmore Edwards Leckie of the 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, so no doubt he got final approval of the design. Not only that, but the final choice of tartan was the MacKenzie (the tartan of the Seaforth Highlanders) and men from the other three highland regiments had to switch (initially they all wore the tartan of their parent regiment). So basically, the boss got his way! (also, apparently close to half the original volunteers formed into the 16th Bn were from the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders).

Cheers, Ian.

[mad4thcef]

Ian,

FYI

Mackenzie tartan is oldest tartan in the British army!


My regiment wore it as well!


Cheers
Rob

[rubicon]

Thank you all for your documented answers and comments. Very useful!
Best regards.
J-F