Westminster Dragoons

[Alan O]

Here is my collection of WD badges - the 1908 all brass variant, the 1929 w/m lugged beret badge and the final s/p (no TY) version worn from 1983 up to 2006. This high quality badge was worn by other ranks and not offrs.

They also wore the RTC/RTR badge between the wars and an a/a badge when part of the Berks and Westminster Dragoons in the 1960s. The WD adopted the black beret of the RTC which they retain to this day.

They are currently wearing the Royal Yeomanry cap badge.

Alan

[johnG]

Thanks for displaying those Westminster Dragoon badges. I have been looking on eBay for a W.Dgns badge as worn in 1960 when they had just merged with the Berkshire Yeomany, and although a new badge had been designed it had not yet been issued and the W.Dgns badge was still worn

Your photo's indicate to me the badge I am looking for is the 1937 pattern.

Badges seen on eBay did not look quite as I remembered seeing them worn back in 1960, and I now reckon what I was looking at were copies of the 1908 badge, or perhaps the 1990 one

Regards,

John

[Rockape]

Originally Posted by Alan Owen

the final s/p (no TY) version worn from the 1990s up to 2006. This high quality badge was worn by all ranks and not just offrs.

Alan

When I was instructing at Brecon, I taught members of this unit, HAC and those from the Inns of Court Regt as part of a junior leaders course. They have some of the finest gentlemen you will find as O/R's in the British Army. A good deal of these part-timers on these courses were JNCO's earning >100k pa as city professionals. I can remember them being extremely polite and they were knowledgeable about a great many things. However, this often detracted when they were in the spotlight. The British Army wants leaders to explain things so that that 'EVERYONE' can understand not just the brightest and 'BRIEFLY' so members of the orders group don't lose focus. Their academic sharp minds were sometimes too much for other members of the course, and one had to be careful, to balance things out. Still, it was a pleasure to teach them.

The S/P badge Alan mentioned was paid for by members of this unit, showing that no expense was spared when catering for O/R's needs. It is likely (speculation) that these gentlemen were unhappy with the issued anodised badge as it was too 'tacky' for their tastes and decided at their own expense to get the S/P approved for wear.

[sean michael cronin]

Sold my example some time ago bought it from the regiment along with two similar collars. In conversation by phone to an officer in the Westminster's he told me the cap badge was also worn as the arm badge. Cheers Sean.

[Brigade Piron]

Hello,

I am trying to find a WW2 version of this badge. Is there any way of telling a real one from one of the millions that are around? As I understand it, the white metal version is the one I am looking for not the brass?...

Thanks

BP

[Alan O]

BP.

You want the lugged WM one which was worn on a black beret. The brass one was the WW1. I am afraid that they are hard to judge being single metal so it is a gut feel thing when they are in the hand.

[Brigade Piron]

OK, can someone at least tell me if this is a collar badge or cap badge:




(yes, it really is that worn!)

It measures 4cmx3.5 which seems to me rather big for a collar badge, and rather small for a cap badge...

EDIT: Apologies for the crap photos.

[orasot]

Hi BP,
The white metal pattern was sealed 19th August 1929, I have attached mine for you, cap measures 40x35mm & is on lugs e/w. Hope this helps you,
Wilf.

[Brigade Piron]

Wonderful! That's brilliant .

So mine is a cap (rather than collar badge)? That's quite made my day!

Just one last question, was this badge worn by both officers and o/r during the war?

[orasot]

I would say you & I have OR's badges, I'd expect officers to be of better quality, I have a single collar somewhere that is more cast looking & possibly silver plated if I remember correctly, I'll see if I can dig it out,
Wilf.

[GriffMJ]

My father was a WD and all his photos from the 1950s show him with a bullion Royal Crest Beret badge, also bullion in his service cap.

Could anyone put a date to this Firmin-made collar badge, please?

DSCF6241.jpgDSCF6242.jpg
Dimensions: H = 24mm x W = 29mm

With thanks,

Peter

[Alan O]

I believe that the w/m type dates from 1929-60.

[Rockape]

Hi guys, another upload of photos. This time it's the Westminster Dragoons. Another well faked unit

Notes: (1) My WDIY cap was gilt but has been worn away at front. (2) Collar gilt but worn away too. (3) IY shoulder has 2 long thin loops but it looks as though there was originally 3.

I would stick my neck out and suggest that there are many privately made superior quality badges available for this unit, as most of the recruits were wealthy city gents (much like the Inns of Court Regt) and could afford to purchase minor accoutrements. You can find a lot of mint issue badges that were never issued due to this factor.

Cheers,

Gaz

[Keith Blakeman]

Nice badges Gaz. I can confirm the IY titles usually has three (very long) loops. My gilt IY cap badge is by J&Co and the portcullis is voided.

Keith