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  #1  
Old 25-10-15, 11:17 PM
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irishhorse irishhorse is offline
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Default Unusual South African Irish Regiment

A photo taken in South Africa c1940. The badge is similar to an 8th Hussars NCO's arm badge. I've picked up both cast brass and cast white metal versions. Both from dealers in South Africa. Can't tell if the badge in the photo is die struck or cast. But cast South African Irish Regiment badges are not unusual.
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File Type: jpg DSCF2143.jpg (59.2 KB, 81 views)
File Type: jpg DSCF2144.jpg (50.9 KB, 59 views)
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  #2  
Old 26-10-15, 04:33 AM
craigen craigen is offline
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That is very interesting indeed; thanks for the info.

Do you have an example of the 8th Hussars badge that you could post alongside your badges for comparison?

Regards
Craig
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  #3  
Old 26-10-15, 11:02 AM
Madziro Madziro is offline
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The SA Irish were also known to wear the London Irish caubeen badge which looks sort of similar.
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File Type: jpg London Regt 18th Bn London Irish 1937- 1962.jpg (63.7 KB, 14 views)
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  #4  
Old 26-10-15, 11:30 AM
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Default SAIR & 8th Hussars.

Quote:
Originally Posted by craigen View Post
That is very interesting indeed; thanks for the info.

Do you have an example of the 8th Hussars badge that you could post alongside your badges for comparison?

Regards
Craig
8th Hussars badge in centre for comparison. I've seen a number of SAIR photos from 1940. No others show this type of badge worn. Most show all ranks wearing the LIR type badge, Madziro has posted above.
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  #5  
Old 01-11-15, 07:57 AM
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My own SA Irish wartime brass cast with original hackle, same size and design as O637

SA Irish 006.jpg
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  #6  
Old 01-11-15, 08:44 AM
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This is what I call a South African "Irish"
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  #7  
Old 01-11-15, 09:01 AM
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Nice Frank, WWI?
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  #8  
Old 01-11-15, 04:12 PM
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Indeed, the regiment seems to claim a link with Colonel Brennan's lads, although, quite frankly, I struggle to understand why, I suppose one hundred years does sound good.
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  #9  
Old 05-11-15, 03:18 AM
milhistry milhistry is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by irishhorse View Post
A photo taken in South Africa c1940. The badge is similar to an 8th Hussars NCO's arm badge. I've picked up both cast brass and cast white metal versions. Both from dealers in South Africa. Can't tell if the badge in the photo is die struck or cast. But cast South African Irish Regiment badges are not unusual.
If 1940, it could be due to a shortage of official badges with the SAIR being newly raised. Perhaps any Irish-looking badge was worn until the standardised patterns were available? Or, possibly this chap served in a a UK Irish unit before joining the SAIR kept his old badge and nobody noticed?
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  #10  
Old 05-11-15, 09:18 AM
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Brian Conyngham Brian Conyngham is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frank Kelley View Post
This is what I call a South African "Irish"
Agree Frank, owned 2 of them and just 2 months back passed on one to a fellow collector. Rare little bugger these days like all other regimental badges from this era. Was very lucky to find one in a junk store in Cape Town 2 years ago for the princely sum of 2 pounds

Brian
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  #11  
Old 05-11-15, 11:57 AM
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Default SAIR

Quote:
Originally Posted by milhistry View Post
If 1940, it could be due to a shortage of official badges with the SAIR being newly raised. Perhaps any Irish-looking badge was worn until the standardised patterns were available? Or, possibly this chap served in a a UK Irish unit before joining the SAIR kept his old badge and nobody noticed?
He joined the SAIR in 1940. And had no previous military experience. Perhaps they experimented a bit before settings on the the crown/harp/motto badge.
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  #12  
Old 05-11-15, 11:59 AM
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Default SAIR WM

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Originally Posted by Frank Kelley View Post
This is what I call a South African "Irish"
There is also a WM version of the WWI badge, which no one can quite explain.
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  #13  
Old 30-01-22, 02:36 PM
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Milmed Milmed is offline
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Default Some SA Irish pics

Hi,
Reviving old thread with some SA Irish picture found in my archives.

1. Group of SA Irish c.WWI - note cloth shamrock collar badges

2. SA Irish soldier c.WWII

3. SA Irish Pipe Major - 1962 postcard
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File Type: jpg SA Irish WWI.jpg (87.2 KB, 26 views)
File Type: jpg SA Irish WWII.jpg (42.6 KB, 28 views)
File Type: jpg SA Irish.jpg (52.5 KB, 31 views)
File Type: jpg SA Irish WWI closeup.jpg (37.4 KB, 21 views)
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  #14  
Old 30-01-22, 03:19 PM
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Pipe Major Symons in the postcard.
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  #15  
Old 02-02-22, 08:05 PM
shahldm shahldm is offline
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Was able to acquire this wonderful badge in Cape Town over Christmas.
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