Cap badges of the amalgamated Cavalry Regiments 1923 onwards

[Alan O]

I have been investigating the cap badges worn by the amalgamated cavalry regiments post 1923 when the junior regiments were reconstituted as a single squadron of the new regiment.

3/6 Dragoon Guards - This is a 1925 picture of the Cpls Mess. Both 3rd DG PofW feathers and the 6th Carbineers cap and collar badges are clearly still in use. The new combined badge came in to use in 1929.

https://www.3rdcarabiniers.org.uk/wp...orals-Mess.jpg

4th/7th Dragoon Guards Wore the old regiment badges until 1930 when the new design was introduced.

5th RIDG Adopted their VDG badge in 1929. Once again based on the previous officers' design.

13th/18th The 13H Sqns wore a new badge the small 13H Z design previously worn by the officers. Circa 1929 the regiment re-badged to the '5-bar gate' badge.

14th/20th did the same with a reduced size 14th H cap badge until 1930 as covered in this thread

15th/19th Adopted the 15/19 badge in 1929.

What I have not been able to find is what happened with the 16/5 and 17/21. Both regiments retained the senior regiment badge but I am still trying to find photos of either regiment prior to 1929 to see if the 21st lancer and the 5th lancers badges were retained in 1923 or not.

I do wonder if somewhere in the WD archives there is a document from 1929 directing that the Cavalry regiments were to cease the practice of having the 2 separate units and the pre 1922 insignia.

It seems somewhat coincidental that everything changed in 1929-30.

[Alan O]

This was published in 1953 and confirms that the 21st Lancers Sqn in the 17th/21st Lancers ceased wearing their 21stL insignia in 1929.

[cbuehler]

It would certainly seem that the WD made a crack down on the cavalry badge situation in 1929. Quite surprising that some of the old badges were worn as late as 1930.
Prior to all this information, I (and likely most others) had assumed that the badge changes were initiated shortly after the amalgamations.
Very good and enlightening information here!

CB

[Drmiggy]

Originally Posted by Alan O

This was published in 1953 and confirms that the 21st Lancers Sqn in the 17th/21st Lancers ceased wearing their 21stL insignia in 1929.

Thanks Alan, I find this thread enlightening and the fact that new badges came about in this period is amazing. Thanks

Ian

[Alan O]

I am glad that this is interesting. I suspect that after 7 years it had become obvious to even the most die-hard cavalrymen that the amalgamations would not be undone. Add to this the fact that many of the serving members joined after amalgamation and did not have the history with the pre-22 regiments and perhaps it was judged in 1929 it was time to do away with the old linkages.

it is interesting that the WW2 cavalry raised regiments had new numbers and badges rather than divide the existing regiments. The 26th for example was drawn from a 14th/20th cadre but despite this was a 'new' regiment rather than splitting out a '20th' identity.

[Bill]

Hi Alan
Concerning the VDG badge as worn by officers, do you know when it was adopted and if was it sealed? I've seen it worn in a photograph from The Sphere in 1914 (and possibly in a photograph that's in the NAM).
Thanks
Bill

[Alan O]

Bill

It was worn before WW1 but I don't have an exact date.

Alan

[rboorman]

The Household Cavalry Regiment was formed by amalgamating the Life Guards and the Blues and Royals ( aka RHDG) yet Squadrons wear one of other of the original cap badges and the HCMR dress as both LG and B&R????

[Mike B]

Very enlightening research Alan - thanks for sharing
Season's Greetings
Mike