London Regiment : Second Rifles ?

[steveh]

First post here gents so be gentle with me.

I have this badge in my collection. Any idea of the Regiment it belongs to as it doesn't fit in with my knowledge of the London Regiment, Unless it is from the Second Battalion 6th London Regiment.

When I bought the badge it was labelled as 2nd City of London Rifles Circa 1897
On the centre of the badge around the bugle horn it has the words :

SECOND LONDON RIFLES

Any info or ideas on the history would be a help....

Cheers...

[Alan O]

It's from the predecessors to the post 1908 6th City of London Regt. QVC suggests pre 1901. The 6th Londons was created in 1908 and the 2/6th was raised in WW1 as a duplicate battalion but wore the same badge as the 1/6th.

[Tinto]

Hi Steve,
Welcome to the Forum. Nice badge you have. I have one the same with its original red felt cloth backing. The edge of the cloth follows the outline of the badge from "DOMINE" down to "DIRIGE NOS".
Cheers, Tinto

[Charlie585]

Hello Steve,

A warm welcome to the forum.

The 2nd City of London Rifle Volunteer Brigade was formed in 1860. In 1881 it became 10th VB KRRC but retained its 2nd London Rifles title. As Alan correctly states it became the 6th Bn The London Regt in 1908 upon transfer to the Territorial Force.

The above is an abridged version of the information from Ray Westlake's excellent book "Tracing The Rifle Volunteers" which I can't recommend highly enough to anyone with an interest in the predecessors of the London Regiment Battalions.

A very nice badge Steve and one that is firmly on my wish list for the future, thanks for showing it.

Regards

Ry

[Keith Blakeman]

Formed from volunteers involved in the printing trade around Fleet Street.

[orasot]

Commonly known as a vet of the 6th said "The Fleet St Pals "
Wilf.

[Charlie585]

Hello again gents,

Further to my recommendation of Westlake's book.

Another book has been keeping out of mischief this weekend, in fact I couldn't put it down until I had finished it.

Written by a Former Rifleman and Para, Victor Gregg. It chronicles his life from the time of his growing up in London to joining the Rifle Brigade in 1937 and the exploits that he endured as a member of 2 RB. His account of the Snipe action is the best that I have read. He was seconded to Popski's private army and ended up as a driver for the LRDG for a while before volunteering to join the newly formed Paras. He was captured at Arnhem and details his exploits as a POW before being caught up in the firestorm during the bombing of Dresden. The book is worth reading for his account of this alone. His life after the war when the army basically disowned him up to when he stopped having adventures is also quite thrilling as he ended up mixed up in espionage until into his seventies. He lives to this day now retired in Winchester under the care of the Rifle Brigade. A truely inspiring character.

The book is called "RIFLEMAN, A Front Line Life". Victor Gregg with Rick Stroud. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4088-1396-6

Well worth a read in my opinion.

Ry

[Fatherofthree]

Hi Steve and welcome.

As Keith says,
"Formed from volunteers involved in the printing trade around Fleet Street".

And as Wilf says, "Commonly known, as a vet of the 6th said, The Fleet St Pals "

So it's all good news.

Regards (Silly head on again)

Brian

[steveh]

Gents...
Thanks for the welcomes and the info given. A big help.
Glad I found this forum, it's already been a great source of information
As I said on my introduction post.. I have a lot to learn.

And like Charlie585 I can also recommend "RIFLEMAN, A Front Line Life". Victor Gregg with Rick Stroud.
A great book.

Thanks again...