Austrian Volunteer Horse?

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Now not being any sort of expert on Australian badges I thought I would ask the members for their opinion on the item linked below:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Australian-B...AAAOSwA3dYOlE6

This rather splendid shoulder title is being offered as a Boer War piece but it looks more WWI to me?

Clearly converted into a sweetheart broach at some point but any thoughts on date?

Cheers,

Roy

[slick_mick]

Its very unusual to see an Australian shoulder title with a single pin attachment.

If it is indeed Australian Horse, they existed around the time of the Boer War only.

Mick

[Milmed]

Hi Roy,
Just some observations on this badge...

1. I see it is JR Gaunt marked. Did Gaunt mark there badges like this c.Boer War. I have seen these markings on WWI and later badges.

2. There is a keeper chain and pin attached which is very typical of women's brooches as well as nurses badges. This could well be a sweethearts or more likely a nurse badge. VH may stand for Volunteer Hospital or more likely Victoria Hospital.

Just some thoughts with no concrete evidence.

Steven

[Roy]

Thanks Gents,

Some thought provoking observations.

Cheers,

Roy

[fairlie63]

Originally Posted by Milmed

Hi Roy,
Just some observations on this badge...

1. I see it is JR Gaunt marked. Did Gaunt mark there badges like this c.Boer War. I have seen these markings on WWI and later badges.

2. There is a keeper chain and pin attached which is very typical of women's brooches as well as nurses badges. This could well be a sweethearts or more likely a nurse badge. VH may stand for Volunteer Hospital or more likely Victoria Hospital.

Just some thoughts with no concrete evidence.

Steven

I believe Steven has probably hit the nail on the head. The Australian Voluntary Hospital was formed in September 1914 from Australian medical personnel in the UK. It did not become part of the AIF but later was No 32 Stationary Hospital RAMC.

Keith

[Roy]

Hi Keith & Steven,

Thank you for that - mystery solved..!

Neither Boer War nor Volunteer Horse then.

But always great to learn something new.

Cheers,

Roy

[vigilans]

Originally Posted by fairlie63

I believe Steven has probably hit the nail on the head. The Australian Voluntary Hospital was formed in September 1914 from Australian medical personnel in the UK. It did not become part of the AIF but later was No 32 Stationary Hospital RAMC.

Keith

It is an Australian Volunteer Horse title (NSW)
I have one without the VH (removed for some reason)
There is one in the Grey collection
The one on ebay apperas to be silver plated and obviously turned into a sweetheart
Geoff

[Roy]

Hi Geoff,

Thank you for this conformation. Always good to learn something new.

Is the Boer War reference correct?

Cheers,

Roy

[vigilans]

Originally Posted by Roy

Hi Geoff,

Thank you for this conformation. Always good to learn something new.

Is the Boer War reference correct?

Cheers,

Roy

Worn in the Boer War???? Pre Federation....yes c1897 - 1903

[kingsley]

I disagree, I think the Hospital connection is correct. The Volunteer Horse was pre 1897, well before the Boer War) and was NSW not Australian. Bob Gray was not always correct.

[vigilans]

Originally Posted by kingsley

I disagree, I think the Hospital connection is correct. The Volunteer Horse was pre 1897, well before the Boer War) and was NSW not Australian. Bob Gray was not always correct.

Think I mentioned it was NSW (read the post!)
1st Australian Volunteer Horse dates from 1897 through TO 1903, not pre 1897.
Don't know if it was worn in the Boer War as stated.
Check Grebets pic of the 1st Volunteer Horse Hat badge page 56....notice the cypher in the middle of the badge...VH. page 57 shows 1st Aust Volunteer Horse hat badge, note the badge says Australian Horse, but still considered a NSW badge!

[green_jas]

Yes I am fairly sure this is "Volunteer Horse" not "Volunteer Hospital"
If you look at the attached photograph of the early "Volunteer Horse" badge you will note that the "VH" lettering is nearly identical in design to the badge converted to a brooch. I think that these were possibly also worn on up turned slouch hat?? as was common. So my humble opinion only is that this is "Volunteer Horse" shoulder/Slouch hat title. (and exceedingly rare)

If anyone has any details of this being "Volunteer Hospital" I would gladly fall on my sword.

Thanks,
Jas

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by green_jas

If you look at the attached photograph of the early "Volunteer Horse" badge you will note that the "VH" lettering is nearly identical in design to the badge converted to a brooch

I'm sorry to have to disagree, yours is a classical serif font and the brooch conversion is a then fashionable tapering sans serif.

Rgds, Thomas.

[Roy]

Hi Gents,

Irrespective of the discussion - I must apologize as I just notices my faux pa with the thread title...

Clearly I hadn't had enough coffee when typing that..oops!

Roy

[green_jas]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

I'm sorry to have to disagree, yours is a classical serif font and the brooch conversion is a then fashionable tapering sans serif.

Rgds, Thomas.

I have no idea as to what you are trying to say?

Jas