Antrim RGA cap badge?

[Kyle]

I am looking to add a cap badge to compliment my Antrim RGA shoulder titles, though I am unsure of the exact pattern they would have worn.

Although I have read that the RGA wore the standard Royal Artillery cap badge, as a militia, would the Antrim’s have worn the badge with the silver M, or as they were also volunteers, would they have worn the volunteer pattern badge?

[Wmr-RHB]

As there were no Volunteer Corps in Ireland (until 1938), I assume you talk about:
1854: The Antrim Artillery Militia >
1882: 2nd Brigade North Irish Division, Royal Artillery >
1889 Antrim Artillery (Southern Division), Royal Artillery >
1902: The Antrim Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia) >
1908: The Antrim Royal Garrison Artillery (Special Reserve) >
1919: suspended animation >
1924: The Antrim Militia, Royal Artillery >
1953: disbanded

Thus I guess (other may have more knowledge) the RA badge with M from 1902 - 1908.

[Kyle]

Thanks for your response, Henk. Yes, I was referring to the 1854-1919 Antrim Artillery Miitia/ RGA. Sorry, I had read an article about the Antrim Artillery were there was discussion of volunteers, but it was in fact in reference to overseas service (which was voluntary, rather than a volunteer corps).

I was rather hoping it would be the standard Royal Artillery cap badge, as it's much easier to acquire ha

[tonyb]

Kyle, nice items, I have a shoulder title to the Cork Militia RGA, see this thread as a small size RGA shoulder title was worn in conjunction, I assume the same for Antrim.
I'm still on the hunt for the RGA part!
Regards Tony.
https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/fo...ad.php?t=75134

[Kyle]

Many thanks, Tony. Yes, I believe all of the Irish RGA militia wore those small 'RGA' titles. Unfortunately I don't have any. They seem to be harder to come by than the militaria titles themselves ha. I see you originally intended to sell the Cork title - if you ever decided to part with it, please bear me in mind.

[John Mulcahy]

Kyle,

Norman Litchfield's book "THE MILITIA ARTILLERY 1852-1909 (THEIR LINEAGE, UNIFORMS AND BADGES) Litchfield, Norman E.H. Published by The Sherwood Press (Nottingham) Ltd., Derby (1987) covers this well if you can get a copy.

Focusing on other ranks, after 1900,

In full dress the helmet plate was the standard Royal Artillery plate to which the letter 'M" was added in white metal (I think).

The badge for wear on the Brodrick and the peaked forage cap was the familiar gun badge of the Royal Artillery with the addition of the letter 'M" beneath the gun and above the lower scroll. For other ranks the badge in GM and the letter "M" in white metal. As mentioned the Antrim were not a Volunteer unit. Originally militia, they became special reserve in 1908 when the militia ceased to exist on April 1st when the Territorial and Reserve Forces act 1907 came into being.

Other ranks collar badges were the universal grenade 1882-1908.

I am sure others will correct any errors I have made.

John