Training Reserve Battalions

[Graham Stewart]

Originally Posted by Rob Miller

Another new picture, not quite sure how the "TR No.12" fits in with the Devonshire Regiment badges worn?

Rob

Possibly not and clearly an error as the 12th Training Reserve Bn was formerly the 13th(Reserve)Bn, Notts & Derby Regt. Whilst 12th Reserve Bde was made up entirely of Scottish units. The Devons only ever produced one T.R. Bn, which was the 44th T.R. Bn formed from the 11th(Res)Bn, Devonshire Regt(1/9/16). As previously discussed the 44th T.R. Bn became part of the 10th Reserve Bde and was located in Wareham, Dorset from as early as May 1915, when it was still Devons.

[Rob Miller]

I have bought another GS button curio, and I'm wondering if its another Training Reserve Battalion head dress badge.

There have been previous threads where forum members have shown sliders attached to GS buttons, but these are certainly not common and there were a few very dodgy ones on ebay at one point.

Some collectors believe that the Training Reserve wore buttons with a brooch fitting, others that these are just sweetheart badges, these are pretty common but you rarely see identical conversions which would indicate mass production for issue to complete Battalions?

My thoughts are that a standard large button was issued and some men were allowed to have them converted for ease of removal for cleaning, and that various options were used?

Rob

[manchesters]

Rob,

Never seen one before, its very nice and I would agree thats its a TR cap badge conversion.

regards

[Toby Purcell]

I too think that it’s a Training Reserve cap badge. Having blades would have been eminently sensible and also facilitated placing behind it the circle of red felt that backed the TR button badge.

[MH331]

Rob,

I think it is a good candidate for a TR cap button looking at the fixing blades.

Regards Mark

[Rob Miller]

Thank you all for the replies.

Rob

[Rob Miller]

Very pleased with this new purchase, these two came together but I realise there is no unit connection.

Its nice to take the date of Joseph Steer Birmingham name back to WW1 and to add a bit more evidence to the theory that normal buttons were worn on the cap but not always with a special additional fittings.

I will have to try and gently clean the red cloth backing, not sure of the best way?

Rob

[manchesters]

Rob,

Selotape will move the dust etc.

regards

[Rob Miller]

That's a good idea Simon, thanks.

Rob

[Rob Miller]

Another example with a fresh way of mounting, if this hadn't come with the red cloth disc I would have assumed hat pin or sweetheart, as it is its probably the easiest way of fitting one I have seen yet.

Rob

[Luke H]

Saw it on eBay and must confess I’m still not totally convinced it’s not for wear as an affection / sweetheart item.

The backing looks even fresher in the scans than it did in the listing.