8th Battalion Hampshire Regt (Isle of Wight Rifles)

[Alan O]

It is possible that the 8th Bn badge was also worn post WW2 in chrome by the CCF of King James I grammar school on the IOW. It was formerly called Newport Grammar School up to the early 1950's. This would explain why they exist in such numbers. Unfortunately the school now appears to be no more so I would be grateful if any one can confirm this attribution.

[crest-insignia]

Originally Posted by Alan O

It is possible that the 8th Bn badge was also worn post WW2 in chrome by the CCF of King James I grammar school on the IOW. It was formerly called Newport Grammar School up to the early 1950's. This would explain why they exist in such numbers. Unfortunately the school now appears to be no more so I would be grateful if any one can confirm this attribution.

Alan
you are correct, the school became Newport youth club, but closed down several years ago. by coincidence the building has just been sold off by the council.
it is generally accepted locally that the cadets did indeed wear a chrome version of the badge.
T

[Alan O]

Many thanks. I have found a reference that the IOW Bty , then part of the 457 (Wessex) HAA Regt wore RA badge which suggests that they converted to RA badges when they were re-raised in 1947 as 428, or on merger in 1955.

They were almost certainly wearing the RA cap badge on merger with the Hants Yeomanry RA who it is recorded wore the RA cap badge. It would be very odd for one Bty to retain their 1908 pattern TF badge when the remainder, and senior Yeomanry Bty, were already in RA.