'CUT & SHUT' AYRSHIRE

[Alan O]

I recently picked this one up. Same 2 part construction but this time with a lead solder. It has considerable polish to the front.

[Alan O]

For reference this is a picture of the Ayrshire IY badge which was worn into WW1 which shows the differences in design. It has been suggested that the 1915 badge is a regtl modification. However the design is not that of the IY badge so it is not a regtl modification but a different die.

[Alan O]

I recently re-read Gaylor's book who states that the badge was designed circa 1916 when the regt was in the Middle East by a SSM White.

The 1/1st Bn departed UK in Oct 15 wearing the IY badge. (see photo).

The second photo is the regtly designed badge worn by a member of 2/1st Bn who were in UK. The wing tips and voids match the 2nd pattern badge.

[leigh kitchen]

"Thanks button" for this info.

[Alan O]

I had not realised that like several yeomanry regts, the 1st/1st were badged to the regular battalions in 1917. In their case, they became part of a RSF battalion.

This badge had a short life as the 12th Bn RSF was made up of the dismounted Yeomanry units of the Ayr Yeo and Lanarkshire Yeo from Jan 17. Photos of the Bn's soldiers in 1918 all show the RSF cap badge worn on the infantry bonnet.

The Ayrshire Yeomanry's 2nd Bn was converted to Cyclists in Jul 16.

The 3rd Reserve Bn was disbanded and sent to RSF.

[Alan O]

I have just purchased this one from a dealer and await it's arrival. It's the 1916 design but unlike my other one it's one piece die struck. My assumption is that the 2 part ones were made privately for the regiment.

Then an order was put in for the easier to make one piece ones which were subsequently worn by the Cyclist Bn after the 1st battalion had rebadged to RSF. This is only my assumption. The lugs suggest that this badge was also not a sealed pattern as sliders would have been the norm on a peaked cap: but it was a Scottish unit so lugs are not impossible.