Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Epaulette

[grey_green_acorn]

Here is a cloth epaulette to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Shown in Westlake as 1011 and dated as worn c1927 onwards. The INNISKILLINGS title in brass, with grenade above, is fitted to a "saffron" colour fabric epaulette with three press studs to fasten it to what?

Any ideas on dates of wear and what form of dress it was worn on?

[grey_green_acorn]

50 views and no opinions yet! Any ideas from the collectors to the Irish Regiments?

[Peter Brydon]

I can only suggest that saffron is associated with the colour of Irish pipers kilts and the use of press studs with attaching insignia to tropical uniforms.

P.B.

[John Mulcahy]

I had a look at it but have no idea what it is. As far as I am aware the pipers epaulettes are blue and if it were a pipers item I would have expected the title to be white metal.

Have you tried contacting the regimental museum, you will find the address on line (I have never had any luck wth e-mail responses from them) ?

John

[grey_green_acorn]

Thanks to both for your ideas. The colour certainly seems to match the saffron of the (Irish) piper's kilt and I wondered if it was worn on a jersey/pullover as you might expect shirts to have integral epaulettes and only need a "slip on" type fitting. Were coloured jerseys being worn by the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers in the North Irish Brigade period prior to the July 1968 formation of the Royal Irish Rangers or even earlier?
I will also try the museum as you suggest.

[John Mulcahy]

In the past year I have been in contact with a former officer of the regiment who provided this insight from a discussion of the articles at a recent regimental association dinner

I regret that checking with a large number of former ‘Skins’ has failed to produce a definitive answer on this epaulette. Everyone who was serving at the time recalls that saffron epaulettes were worn by officers and warrant officers in the First Battalion with a green pullover (purchased from Marks & Spencers!) introduced by the then commanding officer in 1965 and retained until amalgamation in 1968. No one has any clear recollection of the epaulettes being worn before 1965, although some former warrant officers think they wore them, but can’t remember when or in what dress! The feature, however, that has thrown everyone consulted is the plain grenade, with no castle, which no one consulted can recall.

Checking in with the museum to see if that turns up anything. The title of course suggests an item worn by other ranks not officers.

So potentially an item that pre-dates the 1960's and as PB points out the press stud fittings do suggest a use on tropical dress.

John

plenty of service in tropical stations post WW1

Malaya 1920's
India 1924-37
Burma 1942-1943
from Indian Theater to Hong Kong 1947
Malaya (1948-60)
Kenya (1952-56)

[grey_green_acorn]

John,
Many thanks for the further information. It remains something of a mystery!

Tim