Welsh Regiment Volunteer Battalions

[41st]

These are a set of Officers' helmet plates to the four volunteer battalions of the Welsh Regiment.
The 3rd Glamorgan R.V retaining their title until 1908.
All are in silver plate and in the case of the 1st,2nd and 3rd it is worth noting that the old (wrong) spelling of the regimental motto was retained.
I will try and post some of the O.R's patterns for the various volunteer corps when I get a chance.

[Peter Brydon]

Great badges,
At last the brits seem to be posting some pictures to match the ones of scarce and highly collectable badges that our Canadian friends have been posting over the last few weeks.
P.B.

[Keith Blakeman]

Originally Posted by 8thfoot

Great badges,
At last the brits seem to be posting some pictures to match the ones of scarce and highly collectable badges that our Canadian friends have been posting over the last few weeks.
P.B.

Yep, totally agree. Hopefully these will put our nose in front- my VB's and RV's of the East and West Surreys and Middlesex RVC's. Not quite as expensive though!

[Keith Blakeman]

Originally Posted by Keith Blakeman

Yep, totally agree. Hopefully these will put our nose in front- my VB's and RV's of the East and West Surreys and Middlesex RVC's. Not quite as expensive though!

A few more:

[KLR]

Nice pieces.

In most cases VB Officer's helmet plates seem to have made the transition from QVC to King's Crown (in about 1902). VB Other Rank's HPs with a KC appear to be quite rare - so much so that I'm wondering if they were ever actually made / worn ! Did they keep the old QVC ones just for the next 6 years ? or did they wear something else ?

Following on from that, there appear to be only a few Territorial Force Bn officers HP's but no OR's.
Any comments / ideas !?
Julian

[41st]

Following on from my earlier post of the Officers' Helmet Plates for the Volunteer Battalions of the Welsh Regiment, here are my Other Ranks' cap badges.
1.Front and rear of the 1st V.B.
2.Front and rear of the 2nd V.B.
3.Front of the 3rd V.B.
All were in white metal only and are of three part construction and with lugs.
I have never come across a genuine Vol. Battn. badge to this regiment with a slider on.
All were worn up until 1908 only.
More to follow.

[41st]

Some more.
1.Rear of 3rd V.B.
2.Front of 3rd Glamorgan Rifles i.e. 4th V.B but retained their original title.
3.Rear of 3rd Glamorgan Rifles.
4.Front of all white metal standard pattern. Presumed worn on service dress by all V.B's.
5.Rear of above.
The only badge I have any doubts about is the 3rd, as the lugs are further down and farther apart and in white metal. The metal is also slightly different and the striking not quite as clear, but it does have some age to it.

[41st]

An oddity.
This badge appears to be a conversion from a standard regular issue Victorian/Edwardian O.R's pattern. On the reverse you can see the sweat hole and where the two lugs have been cut off prior to replacement with blades and then silver plating the whole thing.
Why would anyone have gone to the trouble. The only thought I have is that it could possibly have been done by one of the Volunteer Company Officers in South Africa.
Any other suggestions most welcome.

[Bantam]

Hi Kevin,
Some very interesting badges.I can say that there is definitely a slider version is in existence . I have one on a 3rd V.B.Forage which I will get a photo of and post.
Regards,
Bantam

[Bantam]

Hi Kevin,
When I took my frame apart to get the badges out to photograph I discovered that besides The 3.V.B. I also had a slider version of the w/m Welsh Regiment with no title.
Regards.
Bantam

[KLR]

Regarding different metals, I found a reference in the new West Lancs Territorial Association papers to the effect that 'silver / white metal insignia will be worn in the walking out dress' but not on the service dress. This may have been the case for many of the new TF battalions - trying to continue with some of the old Vol Bn traditions !?

[Bantam]

Thank you KLR for your observation.
In reply to 41st ink I have posted this photo of my 2V.B. forage which has a very old and crude repair to the back lugs.Lead has been poured into which a wire forming the loops have been placed to replace lugs/slider.The quality of the front of badge is so good that I have not considered repair in case of compromising it,I also think it adds character to the badge.
Cheers,
Bantam.

[Bantam]

A Silvered Warrant Officers and Senior N.C.O's Helmet Plate to The 3rd V.B.The Welsh Regiment.
Bantam.

[Bantam]

Two more badges,
1) Officers V.B. The Welsh Regiment 1888-1902 Helmet Plate with makers plaque Hobson and Sons,1,3&5 Lexington St,London.
2) Officers V.B.Glengarry The Welsh Regiment.
Regards,
Bantam.

[41st]

KLR - I agree with your observation. I have references with regard to the South Wales Borderers and some of the Welsh Yeomanry units that white metal badges were for wear on walking out dress.

Bantam - The slider V.B's look fine to me, I've just never come across one before. There should be no reason why the volunteers didn't switch to sliders from lugs just as the regulars did.
With regard to your 2nd Welsh, compare the title scroll with mine, they are both sligthly off horizontal.
I have a silvered N.C.O's 2nd V.B helmet plate which I will dig out and my Volunteer Officer's Glengarry is a slightly different pattern to yours, which I will post.
What happened to your V.B Helmet Plate, have the scroll ends been cut off?
Hwyl
Kevin