Unidentified Irish Badge - Nursing?

[sabrigade]

DSCF0384a.jpg

This badge came with a group of medals to VAD nursing sister. Can anyone identify it?

[Alan O]

Yes it is a design for the WW1-raised 14th (YCV) Bn Royal Irish Regt. Desirable to the irish regt collectors to say the least.

Alan

[sabrigade]

Thanks for the reply.

The group came with a 1914 Christmas tin with odds and ends that she had collected. The lady moved to South Africa after WW1 and continued with services as a nurse in WW2.

[irishhorse]

Its the badge of the Young Citizen Volunteers Of Ireland. Formed in 1912 "to develop a spirit of responsible citizenship and municipal patriotism", through lectures discussions on civil matters, chivalry and drill etc. Units were to be formed all over Ireland but only the Belfast battalion was formed. In 1913 in response to the Irish Home Rule Bill, they joined the Ulster Volunteer force an illegal army opposed to the bill. In 1914 at the start of WWI, the UVF formed the 36th (Ulster) Division, the YCV became 14th (Young Citizens) (service) Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles in the 109th Brigade of the newly formed division. They saw action on the western front, winning a Victoria cross on the Somme, and were disbanded in 1918.
The badge shown is the same design as the cap badge, which was worn from formation to disbandment. But not sure if its a brooch or a cap badge which has been converted to a brooch. What is the back of the badge like ?.

[sabrigade]

Irish badge reverse.jpg

This photograph shows that the slider has been removed.

[irishhorse]

This has been converted from a cap badge, with the ring fitting on top could be a hanger for a brooch or watch chain.