Labour Corps or Pioneer Corps?

[Artynut]

Clarification from members Please? I’m researching 39 items on a WW1 “Hate Belt”. I do not have a reference book on Collar Badges and I’m trying to find the correct title for what I believe may be a matched pair of collars to the above corps. What was the name for the Corps during WW1 and is there a date I can use in the description? It’s a labour of love for the family I’m doing it for and as I only collect to British & Commonwealth Artillery, I never had the need to obtain a collar badge reference book!. it’s been two weeks of slogging through K & K., Gaylor, Westlake, Cox and Corbett but the end is in sight! I’ve included two pictures of the pair in situ on the Belt. A third pic shows a Gloucester’s back badge but what is the wreath surrounding it? Many thanks if anyone can help. David J.

[oc14]

The crossed pick and shovel collar badges were worn by British Army Infantry Battalions who were assigned the roll of Pioneer Battalions (example included the 12th (Miners Pioneers) Battalion of the Yorkshire Light Infantry and the 21st (Wool Textile Pioneers) Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. Officers of Pioneer Battalions normally wore TWO pairs of collar badges (their standard regimental pattern with the Pioneer collar badges worn below them).

Paul

[mike_vee]

A thread on GWF gives great information :

a means of identification for WW1 pioneer battalions was considered it was settled upon that a crossed pick and rifle collar insignia would be adopted with the rifle representing the infantry skills and the pick the semi-skilled labour.

according to Colin Churchill’s definitive work on collar badges the crossed rifle and pick badge was introduced under Pattern No.8365 and sealed in 1915.

WW1 Pioneer Battalion collar insignia


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[mike_vee]

IWM has a photo "A sergeant of the Pioneer Battalion, Welsh Regiment in tropical kit" showing collar badges.

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205040286


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[mike_vee]

Collar also worn by "Lieutenant W B Forster. Unit: 4th Australian Pioneer Battalion, Australian Imperial Force"

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/205294943


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[Artynut]

Thank you Paul and Mike, That was a great help! Is it picky of me to mention that it appears as if the Australian Officer and the Welsh Gentleman have their collar badges opposite to each other?. I am assuming that the Pick head and rifle muzzle would face forward to the front as they seem to be on the Welshman. Still wondering about the wreath overlapping the Gloucester’s back badge. Regards, D.J.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Artynut

Is it picky of me to mention that it appears as if the Australian Officer and the Welsh Gentleman have their collar badges opposite to each other?. I am assuming that the Pick head and rifle muzzle would face forward to the front as they seem to be on the Welshman.

I think it is simply the position on the different uniforms , on collars vertical with pick head to centre . On officer's lapel , in line with lapel with pick head to center.

http://www.photodetective.co.uk/Pioneer.html

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