Victorian Convict Guard Helmet Plate

[Bantam]

I have only ever come across this example and a photo of one in Colin R Owens Book The Military Badges and Insignia of Southern Africa.
I wondered if any member has any further knowledge regarding the Helmet plate.
Did the Convict Guard accompany the transport ship or where they only used to guard the convicts working at their destination ? Finally why was the wreath surround made up of two different plants ?
Thank you for any help in advance.

[yorkstone]

That is a lovely looking badge never seen another,is it lugged or does it have screw backed fittings.

Hope you do not mind I have rotated the badge around looking forward to others comments.

Regards

Stephen

[Bantam]

Thank you Stephen I attempted to turn it to the position you did but failed miserably. Hopefully someone will be able in the details I am requesting..
Suffering from Anemia at the moment hence lack of connection with you.
Bantam.

[Destro1918]

I agree with Stephen, " A lovely badge" I have not seen or heard of it before so likewise am looking forward to more comments.

Congrats on a nice find indeed.
Destro

[yorkstone]

Cape Rural Police have a similar wreath your badge’s crown appears earlier design IMO
Regards
Stephen

[Arthur R]

An interesting badge, which I've not seen before. Thanks for posting it.

Originally Posted by Bantam

Did the Convict Guard accompany the transport ship or where they only used to guard the convicts working at their destination ?

They would have guarded the convicts at the convict stations. Unlike the Australian colonies, the Cape was not a penal colony and convicts were not shipped there (except on one notable occasion in 1849, which triggered a popular revolt that forced the imperial government to send the ship on to Australia).

The convicts were used from the 1840s onwards as labourers, to build a road network, including mountain passes. In the 1860s, they were also used to build a breakwater and docks in Table Bay.

Finally why was the wreath surround made up of two different plants ?

This seems to have been a common practice. Similar wreaths can be found in police and military badges too.

[Bantam]

Arthur,
Thank you very much for such a comprehensive reply which has fully answered my original request cor info. Thank you very much. Gwynne (Bantam)

[yorkstone]

Indeed very interesting information very informative on such an interesting piece of History
Regards
Stephen

[Traist]

Attachment 300244Attachment 300244Hi, I thought that I would add this to this thread. I picked up this badge some years ago in a frame of SA Police badges. I have only seen this one myself. Sam Foote said that he thought that it belonged to the guards on Robben Island circa 1850 but couldn't confirm it. Does anyone have any information on this? Regards Andrew

[yorkstone]

I have no further information but I do like this badge, any chance of a scale and a view of the back please
Regards
Stephen

[Bantam]

I very much like the badge and I have seen a photo of one but for the life of me I can't remember where.