King's Royal Rifle Corps - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

peter4447 · #1 13-05-09, 08:42 PM

I am trying to date this photograph and wonder if anyone can help please. I apologise for the poor quality of the scan but it does appear that the officers' shoulder belt badges have a QVC. The Helmet badges, however, appear to be more Kings' Crown in shape, whilst the badge on the Bass drum appears to have had the South Africa scroll added to the original. I would be grateful if anyone could advise as to whether belt badges did actually change to King's crowns as those being worn in the photo appear to indicate that this photo could date from the early 1900's. I believe it was taken in India.
Many thanks
Peter4447

54Bty · #2 14-05-09, 03:50 PM

Was it common practice for the KRRC to wear cap lines?

peter4447 · #3 14-05-09, 03:59 PM

Hi 54Bty.
I can't answer that one I'm afraid. Although a superb photo I am really struggling on this one. I based my belief that it is a KRRC Bn on the Light Infantry/Rifle shoulder belts worn by the officers and the shape of the cap badges which on the original are clearly ther same shape as that on the Bass Drum.
Peter

54Bty · #4 14-05-09, 04:11 PM

Just a thought, you may want to check out the ancestry of the current 'Light Draggons', who wear a similar badge.

wright241 · #5 14-05-09, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peter4447

I am trying to date this photograph and wonder if anyone can help please. I apologise for the poor quality of the scan but it does appear that the officers' shoulder belt badges have a QVC. The Helmet badges, however, appear to be more Kings' Crown in shape, whilst the badge on the Bass drum appears to have had the South Africa scroll added to the original. I would be grateful if anyone could advise as to whether belt badges did actually change to King's crowns as those being worn in the photo appear to indicate that this photo could date from the early 1900's. I believe it was taken in India.
Many thanks
Peter4447

There is a picture of a KRRC shoulder belt plate on page 3 of my album.
You might want to compare it with what these guys are wearing.

#6 15-05-09, 08:50 AM

As a point of accuracy, the KRRC did not wear shoulder belt plates - they wore pouch belt plates. The 'shoulder belt' supported a sword or hanger whereas the 'pouch belt' supported a pouch.

peter4447 · #7 15-05-09, 07:14 PM

Hi Wright241.
Many thanks I have checked your gallery and we definately appear to have a match.
Hi 54Bty.
Thanks for pushing me to search harder! I couldn't find anything similar for the cavalry but when going over the evidence once again, the penny finally dropped when I realised that none of those on the photo are wearing 14-18 War medals, those that are being worn are QSA/KSA so the photo is much earlier than I originally thought. The 1st Bn KRRC went from the Boer War to Malta, Egypt and the Sudan before returning to the UK in 1907 so it could well be the battalion in question.
Anyway I'm happy to accept this is a KRRC Band so thank you both for your help - it is appreciated.
Peter4447