Newfoundland Regiment-Early Cap or Collar?

[MH331]

This came in a mixed auction lot. I thought it was a collar badge but 2747 Andy has identified it a a possible early cap badge. Any opinions welcome?

thanks Mark

[2747andy]

Definitely a Cap Badge!

Andy

[Bill A]

Caps and collars were the same size, and oriented the same direction. So, take your choice.

[2747andy]

Bill,
Would ORs have worn collars c.WW1?

Andy

[Bill A]

Hi Andy, The officers wore the same size badge as collars, but most images of the OR's don't show collars in wear.

[MH331]

2742 Andy and Bill, Thank you. So it would be correct as an early Cap Badge(as well as a collar) sorry to be pedantic but I have a Canadian Cap i would like to display it on if appropriate?

[2747andy]

Mark,
I'm sure I'll be corrected, however the die struck Gm badges tend to be ORs cap badges, the solid backed bronzed badges Officers, although Ive not seen them with blades so presume these were universal, i.e. cap & collar for Officers only!

Andy

[MH331]

Thanks Andy

[Bill A]

Hi Mark, Newfoundland was not a province of Canada in the First World War. It was a colony of Great Britain.
There is a lot of debate about the types of badges worn by officers and other ranks of the Newfoundland Regiment. Andy's rule of thumb is applicable to the Newfoundland Regt, but there are examples of the die struck badges being worn by officers.

[MH331]

Bill,

Thanks do you know if the Newfoundland Regiment was equipped by Canada or Great Britain?

thanks for all the info.

Mark

[Bill A]

Hi Mark, By equiped you mean uniforms, arms, and webbing equipment?

[MH331]

Bill, yes exactly that. tahnks Mark

[Bill A]

As colonial troops, the initial issue of uniforms and equipment were acquired from Newfoundland and Canadian sources. (The first 500 were given puttees that were died navy blue as an interim measure. These became a mark of pride among the first contingent.) Overseas the Newfoundland Regt came under British supply and were issued British uniforms and equipment.
Just a furhter note for Andy. Many of the officers of the Newfoundland Regt were commissioned from the ranks. They may have continued to wear the badge they were issued as an other rank. On a related question, it is not clear when the Regiment acquired their cap badge. It does not appear that they had it when the contingent sailed for the UK in the fall of 1914.

[jeep]

I took these two pictures a few years ago (along with many others), in the small museum at Newfoundland Park ,Beaumont-Hamel. Officer's tunic with collars, and Sgt Thomas Ricketts VC without collars. (I assume this is a post war photo).

[orasot]

I'd say OR's cap badge too, the collars look a bit smaller in this pic,
Wilf.