Australian Unofficial Badges - WW1

[slick_mick]

Thanks mate - a very nice badge but that one is Boer War!



Mick

[Donny B.]

Yes, I realise that it is Boer War. I guess I was just thinking just "unofficial badges", not "WW1 unofficial badges." I guess I am getting the threads in a knot.

Donny B

[dazza]

Trenchart maybe or 1st Dismount Lighthourse?

[slick_mick]

Possibly 1st Remount Unit.

Mick

[dovets]

Another Camel Corps Hat badge. All were apparently unofficial and 'sand cast' (in Egypt?) the previous camel corp badge above looks like it is actually a collar badge?

[GTB]

Hi,
Just had an unexpected surprise. I was finally getting down to inventorying a large old frame of Canadian WW1 collar badges that I had for ages, when this turned up. A beautiful collar badge of the 6th Australian Light Horse, AIF with 2 uncommon brass rear lugs of flattened triangular shape to boot. Made my day and I'm happy to share, as always.
GTB
I seem to be having trouble with scanner. Will post pic when resolved

[GTB]

As promised. Cannot scan back of badge as image blurred
GTB

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by slick_mick

I'm five years too late asking this question but why does this appear to read GCC (rather than the more logical CCG)?
Mike

[slick_mick]

I guess that's how it was designed?

The G in the middle makes it look more balanced?

Mick

[kingsley]

I was told by the son of a GCC member (who gave me one of his father's collar badges) that the unit was the German Concentration Camp, 25 years before the term became unfashionable. They were rotated between the camps at Holdsworthy and Trial Bay. Not sure if they also guarded the German POWs at Berrima who were not civilian internees. Maybe these were guarded by the 2nd District Guards, wearers of another rare badge but whose duties have never been clear to me. Trial Bay museum has an incredible photo of a GCC company with clear images of their badges. They are armed with Long Lee Enfields and bayonets. Have also seen a painted truncheon with GCC and a rising sun but this is not in the photo.
The NBT was not an unoffical badge. It was one of only three offical AIF badges in WW1, together with the rising sun and the RAA cypher (field arty).

[Donny B.]

Originally Posted by GTB

As promised. Cannot scan back of badge as image blurred
GTB

Thanks for sharing your 6th ALH badge, GTB. What a nice find! A pity you can not show us the back.


Cossum describes the GCC collar as "German Concentration Camp"

Donny B.

[Mike Jackson]

Many thanks all - that's clear! I'm relieved to know that it's not a badge for employees of Gold Coast Council, Qld.
Mike

[kingsley]

Apparently the NBT at Gallipoli was formed from the Royal Australian Naval Brigade and Bracegirdle their CO served in China in 1900 (Boxer Rebellion contingent)with the NSWNB.
The anchor badge was official as I wrote earlier but a while ago I saw some fascinating NBT photos at the Sydney War Memorial Museum at Hyde Park, the only ones of their type I have ever seen. The quality was very bad, possibly newsprint, but they appeared to be wearing RAN officer and petty officer badges on khaki uniforms. I suspect that this may have been when the NBT was first formed and before the anchor badge was struck. It is not often that you see navy badges worn by the army and I would really like to have a quality photo.
The attached scan is an NBT 9ct gold sweetheart badge that went on Ebay a couple of years ago for over $400.

[SHAUNC]

Hi Mick I have two 8 Indi Light horse Like that from my Grandmothers Uncle.