something of interest down under?

[DavidS]

No idea what this is; no affiliation with the seller.

Looks interesting though, so I thought maybe you Australian collectors might be interested and/or you could tell me what it is.

Ebay 350064558853

[slick_mick]

That's a UK King's Colonials Australasian Squadron hat badge - its also a badge I would never buy myself unless I had some providence as it has been heavily reproduced.

Mick

[DavidS]

So was this a pre-WW1 colonial unit? Boer War? Or were they active into WW1?

[slick_mick]

From wikipedia:


King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment) was a cavalry regiment of the British Army which saw service in the First World War.

Early history

The regiment was originally formed as part of the Imperial Yeomanry in November 1901, as the 4th County of London Imperial Yeomanry (King's Colonials), composed of four squadrons of colonial volunteers resident in London - one of "British Asians", one of Canadians, one of Australasians and one of South Africans. A New Zealand squadron was later formed, with the Australasian squadron being redesignated as Australian. It did not see service in the South African War. In 1905 it was retitled The King's Colonials, Imperial Yeomanry, and in 1908 became part of the Yeomanry in the Territorial Force. In 1909 the specific affiliations of the squadrons ended. With the death of Edward VII, for whom it had been named, it was retitled King Edward's Horse (The King's Overseas Dominions Regiment) in 1910. In 1913, it was transferred into the Special Reserve, and ceased to be considered yeomanry.[1]

First World War

On the outbreak of war in 1914, the regiment was mobilised in London, where it remained until April 1915; at this point, the regiment was dispersed, and the four squadrons were sent to the Western Front with separate divisions. They were reunited in June 1916, the regiment serving as corps troops, and moved to Italy in December 1917. The regiment returned to France in March 1918, serving until the end of hostilities. Some reports suggest that the final British casualty of the war was a private in C squadron.[2]