Unknown cap badge.

[13th King]

Hi All,

Can anyone identify the helmet badge on the attached photo? It is suggested that this photo was from 1895 and the soldier in the Middlesex Rifles.

Many thanks.

13th King.

[Peter Brydon]

As has already been suggested on the GWF the answer lies in the helmet plate, there were numerous units of Middlesex Rifle Volunteers ( if he was in one ).

If you can post an enlarged picture of just the helmet plate, it is possible that it might be identified to a particular unit.

P.B.

[Gurkha]

Hi, if it is Middx RV it may be the 37th St giles & st Georges Bloomsbury. Post 1881 they wore the maltese cross within a laurel wreath in black on the Home service helmet.
Most of the others didnt have the wreath around the cross. As was said a close up of the helmet could help.
Steve

[Peter Brydon]

Based on the blown up picture on GWF ,it looks like the attached badge which is from a series of articles in the MHS Bulletin in the 1950`s titled " Some badges of the Middlesex Rifle Volunteers 1859-1908"

The badge is described as post 1881 Pouch badge of the 26th Middlesex Rifle Voluteers ( when they were attached to the Rifle Brigade ).

I wonder if the badge was worn on the helmet as well. If the man in the photo was a Midlsex Volunteer,this seems to be one of the few badges like the one being worn in the photo.

P.B.

[Peter Brydon]

Steve is right, might also be the 37th St Giles and Bloomsbury ( top centre badge in the photo)

P.B.

[signalman]

i dont want to muddy the waters but do the tunic and trousers look a little dark for the units suggested?.i have attached an image i believe to be from the same period, and again believe to be rifle volunteers [poss cyclist]i could be way out of wac here and im sure i will be put right, still it gives me an excuse to post an old photograph which i have owned for years.all comments welcome gents. phil.

[Peter Brydon]

Signalman,

A colour print in" The Territorial Battalions ( A pictorial History 1859-1985)" by Ray Westlake is entitled "Metropolitan Rifle Corps in Hyde Park and is from a supplement to the Illustrated London News of 27th October 1860. It shows a wide variety of colour of uniforms worn by the various RVC`s

The colours range from red through grey to shades of green ( from very dark to lighter green). I think black may well have been worn by some volunteer units as well.

A list of the colours of Rifle Volunteer units uniforms and facings is given in " Collecting Volunteer Militaria" By Bob Wyatt ( current editor of the MHS Bulletin ) which also shows that a number of Middlesex Rifle Vols had green uniforms.

But its a nice photo you have posted

P.B.

[signalman]

thanks for that pb.it was also a chance to post the photo as well.i know that the rifle vol btn pre inns of court,which i believe was one of the middlesex units, wore the light grey uniform, as there is an example in their drill hall at stone buildings.regards. phil.

[13th King]

Thank you Gents for all your input and advice.

Best wishes.

13th King.