Durban Light Infantry

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi All

Here is my selection of Royal Durban Rifles/DLI/RDLI/DLI cap, beret and helmet insignia 1873 to 2011.

Please feel free to add any variations you may have. It would make a sort of "definitive thread" on these badges.

We can add more regiments as time goes by. It would appear as per most countries that SA collectors mainly collect "in their zone". It would be great if BBF members from the various provinces of SA could cover their local units with a similar thread like this one, with assistance from other collectors including members from overseas.

Comments are most welcome

Regards
Brian

[Brian Conyngham]

Page 2 this is a continuation of the previous thread, as the allowed attachment allocation of 15 was exceeded.

The Pith Helmet colour flash was apparently worn from 1923 into the 1950's. I am not sure if the way it is displayed here is correct as I have not seen a colour picture to confirm how it was worn. Please can someone assist with this.

The yellow has faded badly in my example, however the view of the rear gives a better idea of the correct colour.

Regards
Brian

[Milmed]

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

Page 2 this is a continuation of the previous thread, as the allowed attachment allocation of 15 was exceeded.

The Pith Helmet colour flash was apparently worn from 1923 into the 1950's. I am not sure if the way it is displayed here is correct as I have not seen a colour picture to confirm how it was worn. Please can someone assist with this.

The yellow has faded badly in my example, however the view of the rear gives a better idea of the correct colour.

Regards
Brian

Hi Brian,
I see this old thread has been revived, so I am taking the oppurtunity to confirm the display of the DLI flash. The orientation you have is correct according to the 1923 dress regulations that state for combatant CF units:

Top half colour of Province (i.e. Blue for Natal)
Bottom half colour of Arm of Service (i.e. Black for infantry)

A regimental design is allowed to be plased horizontally to centre of flash but may not exceed 1 inch in depth (i.e. 1/3 of the design)

Regards
Steven

[iaindh]

Hi Brian,

very nice, I particularly like the RDR.

But aren't you missing the post '64 variant with the crown moved down onto the shield? Actually you do show it in the group photo, also with the chrome variant.

(edit) oops, just a little too quick, you were still posting page 2!!!

Interesting that the QVC variant has NS lugs.

regards,

Iain

[Brian Conyngham]

Iain

You possibly caught me between downloads

I was called away for a few minutes.

Regards
Brian

[Traist]

Hi Brian, very very nice. Do you have any confirmation that the Victorian crown badge was worn by the DLI? I will have a look in the week and maybe post some of my DLI pouch badges. The cap badges seem to be well covered by you. Regards Andrew

[Alex Rice]

Hi Brian
Nice selection, thanks for posting them. It's interesting to see the DLI badge with the small JRGaunt London mark without the fullstop between the words. It seems to have been a fairly unusual mark so must be quite unique on an SA badge.
Cheers,
Alex

[Brian Conyngham]

Andrew

Unfortunately I am going by OWENS regards the QV badge but I am sure it is right, will try and get around to visiting their museum sometime, have not been there for about 30 odd years.

Alex, this is the one and only JRGAUNT DLI badge I have ever seen, suspect it is 1930's but cannot confirm. Maybe a small batch were made, I wonder if Gaunt keep records?

Regards
Brian

[iaindh]

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Brian, very very nice. Do you have any confirmation that the Victorian crown badge was worn by the DLI? I will have a look in the week and maybe post some of my DLI pouch badges. The cap badges seem to be well covered by you. Regards Andrew

Hi Andrew,

what makes you suspect that the QVC wasnt worn by the DLI? If not is it Durham?

You've some very nice older badges there, I've got lots of catching up to do but there's maybe still time.....

regards,

Iain

[Traist]

Originally Posted by iaindh

Hi Andrew,

what makes you suspect that the QVC wasnt worn by the DLI? If not is it Durham?

You've some very nice older badges there, I've got lots of catching up to do but there's maybe still time.....

regards,

Iain

Hi Iain, the badge in question is Light Infantry, but could have been used by any Light Infantry unit in the British Empire. I was hoping to get confirmation in the form of a DLI photograph showing the badge being worn. There are many badges that were worn by more than 1 unit, and I like to positively place it, where ever possible. Regards Andrew

[natal01]

Here is a full DLI cross belt. We normally collect the significant badge, but the belt holds other bits & pieces which I suppose aren't all that collectible. THr full belt is rather awkward to display ( and photograph ) but it would be vandalism to break it up.
Mike