Help identifying badge worn by Suffolk Imperial Yeomanry - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Bannister · #1 06-01-23, 01:14 PM

I believe this photo shows a trooper of the 43rd or 44th Company (Suffolk) Imperial Yeomanry. Taken in Norwich, probably in early 1900 when they were formed and shortly before they departed for South Africa. He is wearing a badge on the looped up side of his hat but I can’t make out any detail of what this looks like or is.

Can anyone advise what badge is being worn?

Thanks
Paul

manchesters · #2 06-01-23, 01:33 PM

Paul,

From his dress and weapons he looks more like Infantry.

My first thought would be a VB man in a VSC of the Norfolk Regiment.

regards

Bannister · #3 06-01-23, 05:00 PM

Thanks Simon.

Yes I see where you are coming from in terms of him appearing more infantry. My thought process was based on the premise that the Yeomanry wore this type of slouch hat but the infantry would have worn a Wolseley pith style helmet. Would an infantry regiment like the Norfolk’s (or at least the volunteer co’s) have had this type of slouch hat also in South Africa? In which case you are probably right and he is infantry and the badge would be a Norfolk Regt one?

Notwithstanding the above, I have seen photos that definitely are of the 43rd / 44th Company (Suffolk) IY wearing the same slouch hat and with a badge on the looped up side. So my question still remains as to what badge they would have worn?

manchesters · #4 06-01-23, 05:06 PM

Yes,

The Infantry of VSC's and Mounted Infantry would wear a slouch hat and not exclusively a sun helmet.

regards

rob carman · #5 06-01-23, 06:54 PM

On The British Army & Navy, 1888-1914, Taff Gillingham posted a photo of Ernest Hutton, 44 Coy, wearing a slouch hat with a decent view of a badge.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid...31047767111570

It looks like XI to me which doesn't really fit. XII (12th BN, IY) would make more sense. What do you think? Gillingham does say he served in other units. I have not followed up on that.

Rob.

P.S. I am with manchesters on your photo. He's a Volunteer.

Bannister · #6 07-01-23, 06:46 PM

Thanks Rob. I can't seem to access the link - is it possible to post the picture into this thread?

I found this photo of officers of the 43rd Coy in the book: Records of the Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry. Still can't work out what the badge / marking is on the slouch hats though.

Paul

Holyboy · #7 08-01-23, 06:17 AM

Hi Paul I suspect he’s more likely from one of the VBs who all had their HQ in Norwich

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/POSTCARD-...sAAOSw8d9Ut8pt

Holyboy · #8 08-01-23, 06:22 AM

Hi Paul like Simon says his uniform etc looks infantry to me no riding breeches or spurs etc

Bannister · #9 08-01-23, 08:09 AM

Thanks Dean. Yes agreed, the photo in my first post is likely to be VB man. So the badge in his slouch had would be a Norfolk Regt VB Britannia badge?

Any ideas on the IY badge/marking in the second photo (which def is of men from the 43rd Suffolk Coy)?

Cheers

Alan O · #10 08-01-23, 08:49 AM

If he is deploying to South Africa as a reinforcement or as part of a composite company rather than as part of the 4 VB I suspect that he is not wearing a 4 VB badge. He may well not be wearing a badge at all as slouch hats were often worn without then.

mjw · #11 08-01-23, 09:32 AM

In the last picture of Colonel Harvey and officers they could be wearing this badge:

https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/a...e_end=&lot_no=

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Alan O · #12 08-01-23, 10:45 AM

I doubt it. The Yeomanry generally wore their cockades with a rose badge or numerals where as that one looks to be commerative.

manchesters · #13 08-01-23, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjw

In the last picture of Colonel Harvey and officers they could be wearing this badge:

https://www.noonans.co.uk/auctions/a...e_end=&lot_no=

Kind regards, Malcolm.

Its listed as a 'tribute' badge by Noonans and certainly not a head dress badge.

regards

Alan O · #14 08-01-23, 10:58 AM

I wonder whether the picture shows 'IY' on the side of the hats?

Holyboy · #15 08-01-23, 01:22 PM

Hi Paul I don’t think anybody will ever know what those companies of IY wore but I agree in the photo it looks like there is something worn but I suspect it’s possibly a royal coat of arms.

https://www.badgesandmedals.co.uk/in...ms-type-badge/

Yep your man in the original photo of he wore something in that slouch hat would have been the Norfolk VB Badge. 3rd VB easy to find lol