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#1
02-04-21, 05:12 PM
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Wessex Brigade cap badge question?
Hi all. Can anyone answer the following for me?
The Wessex Brigade existed from 1948 to 1968 as an administrative formation and between 1958 and 1968, adopted a common cap badge, the Wessex Wyvern. In 1971 the Wessex Regiment was formed, consisting of 2 battalions and existed until 1994, with both battalions wearing a Wessex Wyvern cap badge. My question is, Were the wyvern cap badges, worn by the Wessex Brigade brass or anodised aluminium (or both) and is the any way of telling the difference between a 1958-68 wyvern cap badge and a 1971-94 cap badge? Many thanks Tony 
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#2
02-04-21, 06:03 PM
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Tony,
The Wessex Brigade cap badge for other ranks was made in gold anodised and issued from 1958. As you said use of the same badge continued with the Wessex Regiment (Volunteers) through to 1994. A brigade period badge would be maker marked J.R.GAUNT LONDON or with other earlier manufacturers marks. After about 1968 the J.R.GAUNT B'HAM mark would be more common but earlier and later marks could have been worn until 1994. The cap badge also exists in silver anodised and there is an officer's version in silver plate. Some more information in this earlier thread https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ghlight=wessex Sealed Pattern from 54bty collection - shows transition from Brigade to Regiment in 1972 Tim
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"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." Last edited by grey_green_acorn; 02-04-21 at 06:20 PM. Reason: adding sealed pattern
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#4
03-04-21, 10:43 AM
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Tony, attached my Wessex Brigade and Wessex Regiment (Vols) groups for your interest.
Tim of course is spot on regarding the makers. Contemporary Wessex Vols would typically be marked Gaunt Bham or W M Dowler . . . but may well of course have earlier makers marks from Brigade back stocks etc. I have shown the bulk of makers variations with the Wessex Vols, however. These include the silver examples, marked Gaunt London and Gaunt Bham. Alan is right, its more likely to be errors ( I don't believe they are found by any maker other than Gaunt) and I don't believe there are any records supporting their legitimate issue, i.e. for Warrant officers etc. However Gaunt badges are not 'generally' known for their colour errors (unlike LB&B) and the collars are also found silver. There are even less colour error collars in general too. So not completely impossible that they were bespoke ordered by a specific unit, but unlikely . . . however, they do exist. C Company in 2nd Vol Bn carried over the Brandy Wine flash badge backing from The Royal Berkshire (specifically there is a hard red plastic backing). Additionally A Coy, 1st Bn wore the back badge of the Gloucestershire Regt. The Wessex Brigade officers silver plated badge is marked Gaunt London. The Wessex Regt vols example is unmarked. Both of these are on horizontal ( east - west ) lugs. Happy Easter all Bess
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#5
03-04-21, 11:04 AM
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Wessex Brigade cap badge question
Thanks all, that's really great!
Just out of interest, did you know that in A Coy (Duke of Connaught's Own) 2nd Bn Wessex Regiment, NCO's wore the old Duke of Connaught's Own, 6th (Territorial) Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment collar badges instead of the Wessex wyverns! Tony
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#7
03-04-21, 11:48 AM
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Will post mine later - large number where obtained from R H Q of 1 and 2 Wessex on being disbanded I attended final parades and have somewhere photo's and booklets issued on the day
The only sealed pattern that I have -Pattern no 17672 ,22/ Nov 1972 is gold J.R GAUNT B'HAM Have some head dress and uniform The person for all things Wessex is Bruce R -not a member here
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