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#1
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Duke of Wellington's - Brodericks
I'm not much of a photo/postcard collector although I do look at ebey seller BUGEYE's postcard sales with envy - I'd rather buy a badge.
Here's one I do have and it's quite interesting as the OR's are all wearing Broderick caps. |
#2
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It appears to be one of the 8 rifle companies and the battalion's drummers. They are wearing full dress tunics and you can see the officers and SNCOs in the front row. It looks to be circa 1902-04.
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#3
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It is a very small company, if that is what it is. Very strange composition: there should be 16 drummers if they are the Corps, and the SNCOs are wearing the peaked head dress, successor to the Brodrick. Very strange.
Last edited by grumpy; 30-12-10 at 05:30 PM. Reason: addendum |
#4
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Quote:
The Brodrick cap was made obsolescent in 1905-6 but could be seen in battalions as late as 1910, depending where they were based and their associated priority for phased (waste out) replacement. Within this interim period the replacement peaked hat was issued as a priority to SNCOs, who had much bewailed the demise of their earlier 'staff caps' with smart, semi vertical peaks. |
#5
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At 16 drummers to a battalion, a company might expect 2 or three as its drummers on the company strength. This shot has seven!
As for "leave" the concept did not exist as such, there was no entitlement, but men of good conduct were allowed an extended furlough once the training year was completed. So, I still do not buy a simple "company photo" theory. Staff caps were not issued to most of the SNCOs, the most one sees in a battalion is about 9 or 10, whereas there were some 45 or so sergeants and CSgts without them. Staff status was accorded to [different regiments had a slightly different take on this]: Sergeant Major Bandmaster Schoolmaster if in uniform RQMS Orderly Room QMS or CSgt CSgt Musketry instructor Pioneer sgt Band sergeant sergeant drummer In addition to the cap, all wore the sword on formal occasions, with the tunic [frock in India] more highly decorated. |
#6
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Broderick cap.
Here is a photo of my late dad, wearing a RM Broderick cap. With his three brothers and their mother just after WW1. Photo believed to have been taken early 1919.
__________________
Keep the flame lily burning |
#7
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Quote:
You take me too literally regarding leave, I was referring to the normal 'parade state' on a day-to-day basis of detached duty (guard, fire picquet and other daily/weekly 'duty men' including cookhouse and coal fatigues plus others), furlough men (I thought that few readers would be familiar with this term and so used the modern word, 'leave'), of which a company might expect to have 1 or 2, and of course the sick, of whom there would be several. I am aware that Staff Caps were for 'Staff Serjeants' (as indeed was the 'Sword Staff Serjeant') and those you list are those who would, I can imagine, have barracked for a replacement cap. The fact that the other 'SNCOs' (a modern term) have also benefited is neither here nor there. With the caveats I have made and going by the number of officers, SNCOs and ORs present, I stand by my assessment that the photo captures either, one of the 8 (rifle) companies, or perhaps the Headquarters company. I would be interested to know what your theory is for the grouping if it is not a company? Companies A to H had a CO and 2IC, 4 x subalterns, 2 x CSGTs(one a CQMS), 2 Platoon Sgts and 4 Sect Cpls. I do not have my reference material to hand, but I think HQ company included the QM and Senior Major, RQMS, battalion Staff Serjeants from those you listed and ORs from the battalion stores, transport section, telegraphy (signals) section, scouts section, Maxim Gun section, pioneer section, band, COs and Adjts drummers and cookhouse. RHQ comprised the CO, Adjutant, RSM, and Provost and Orderly Room staff. Looking at the make up of the photo again it seems more likely to be HQ Company. Last edited by Toby Purcell; 12-02-11 at 12:04 PM. |
#8
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Quote:
Peter |
#9
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Hi gents,
I'm Quite fond of the odd postcard as well. I couldn't resist this one, only the one Broderick, I assume that it is dated a little later than Keith's. Does anyone know the origins of the naming of this cap? By the way Keith, your latest album is a sight to behold, very nice indeed. Regards Ry Last edited by Charlie585; 04-06-12 at 03:02 PM. |
#10
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Secretary of State for War? the cap was not much liked and didn't shade the eyes. The same complaint I always had with the beret. I have a picture of our platoon in Cyprus squinting into the sun.
Matti Last edited by matti467; 05-11-10 at 07:45 PM. Reason: spelling |
#11
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I had the same problem in Cyprus when attached to the RA, I often wondered why we were isued Hats , Ridiculous as we were never allowed to wear them.(Although I did later in Hong Kong)
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#12
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#13
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Two more photographs showing the Broderick cap being worn post 1918.
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Hfx6GBDiVnU/TQ...duoft_0079.jpg http://lh5.ggpht.com/_Hfx6GBDiVnU/TQ...duoft_0061.jpg From: 1921 The Prince Of Wales Book A Pictorial Record Of The Voyages Of The HMS Renown 1920-1921
__________________
"There truly exists but one perfect order: that of cemeteries. The dead never complain and they enjoy their equality in silence." - “There are things we know that we know,” “There are known unknowns. That is to say there are things that we now know we don't know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we do not know we don't know.” Donald Rumsfeld, before the Iraqi Invasion,2003. Age is something that doesn't matter, unless you are a cheese. |
#14
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Definently DoW´s. I did a 2400 dpi scan on a cap badge to check.
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#15
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Sorry - meant the photo in post no. 4 - though I see that's labelled "R.E.s".
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