Victorian Cap Badges

[mjw]

Hello everyone.

I believe that in around 1898 the British Army introduced a series of regimental cap badges for use by other ranks on the Field Service Cap. Apart from often having the Victorian Crown they are fitted with lugs instead of the later sliders.

I would like to ask Forum members if these badges were commonly worn by the various regiments in South Africa throughout the Second Boer War.

Any help or advice on this subject would be most welcome.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[Frank Kelley]

Yes they were, both the field service cap and glengarry were carried on the march and these badges were often subsequently worn upon the slouch hat.

Originally Posted by mjw

Hello everyone.

I believe that in around 1898 the British Army introduced a series of regimental cap badges for use by other ranks on the Field Service Cap. Apart from often having the Victorian Crown they are fitted with lugs instead of the later sliders.

I would like to ask Forum members if these badges were commonly worn by the various regiments in South Africa throughout the Second Boer War.

Any help or advice on this subject would be most welcome.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[mjw]

Hello Frank.

Thank you for the helpful reply. Greatly appreciated.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[KLR]

The FSH was introduced in 1894 (as the glengarry badge was abandoned).
"cap" badges were introduced from 1894-6 onwards.

(BTW K&K were wrong about 1898 as a general date! - as above they were generally introduced in the mid 1890s)


Although Qn Victoria died in January 1901 - the introduction of the Kings Crown was finally introduced in 1903 (in have the exact date somewhere)


[just as a quirk - there were badges with KC still being worn into the 1960s !!!]



(if you go to my album - you will find the OR cap badges as they were in 1914. Below, under the frame you will find the dates of the various infy badges - you could note down the regiments were in the Boer Wars then look at the fixtures in the list
-sorry, I only collected (as a boy) infantry badges - cavalry etc were too expensive for my pocket in the 1960s!)


These first badges had loops - "vertical shanks" (popularly as sliders) were worn on the peaked cap in 1906. There is your answer - loops were used on badges before 1906..... [there were some experimental "sliders" used on the "slouch" hats in 1903 ... but that's another story....


Most were VS so I've only marked loops.


Most of this information comes from the War Office archives detailing every single badge from 1855 onwards.... [and knives and forks, boots etc etc etc]

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by KLR

The FSH was introduced in 1894 (as the glengarry badge was abandoned).
"cap" badges were introduced from 1894-6 onwards.

(BTW K&K were wrong about 1898 as a general date! - as above they were generally introduced in the mid 1890s)

(if you go to my album - you will find the badges as they were in 1914. Below, under the frame you will find the dates of the various infy badges

These first badges had loops - "vertical shanks" (popularly as sliders) were worn on the peaked cap in 1906. There is your answer - loops were used on badges before 1906..... [there were some experimental "sliders" used on the "slouch" hats in 1903 ... but that's another story....

However, to be clear the cap badge wasnt available at the time FS caps were introduced and many regiments wore the central device of their helmet plate centre, which was also their collar badge in the FS cap until the system of cap badges that we now know were introduced.

regards

[KLR]

you are right of course - what the WO introduced at a specific date on paper was hardly adhered !!!!!!!!!!

[mjw]

KLR and Simon.

Thank you for the very informative replies. I have developed an interest in the campaign, the regiments involved and the badges worn.This has helped me greatly.

Kind regards, Malcolm.

[Alan O]

This may answer your questions. I also have a Vic Cavlary album but that is not complete.

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...p?albumid=2638

[mjw]

Hello Alan.

Thank you for the link to your collection. A great help.

Kind regards, Malcolm.