Royal Engineers Side Cap - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Spindlewood Cottage · #1 22-01-21, 08:28 PM

Would anyone know if the cloth patch was a period addition under the badge? Many thanks

cbuehler · #2 22-01-21, 09:59 PM

That is a somewhat faded section of the RE Pagri flash worn on the FSH (sun helmet) and slouch hats. I don't know why it is on that cap, but it appears to have been on it for a long time.

CB

Sonofacqms · #3 22-01-21, 10:04 PM

This is an item that was used by Royal Engineers in various guises, my Fathers kit bag has this painted on the bottom, no doubt it was used in other ways.

Rob

Trubia26 · #4 22-01-21, 11:49 PM

Just beautiful!! I love fs caps and I love RE!!

Milmed · #5 23-01-21, 04:55 AM

I could be mistaken, but should that badge not be a George VI badge?

It looks like a WWI George V badge, so should not be on that side cap. It may be possible that the whole cap is then spurious!

engr9266 · #6 23-01-21, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milmed

I could be mistaken, but should that badge not be a George VI badge?

It looks like a WWI George V badge, so should not be on that side cap. It may be possible that the whole cap is then spurious!

I have had a look at the badge and it is indeed a GVR. This could be that the owner is a long time server(old sweat) and is still wearing his old badge maybe not in barracks but as a walking out headdress???
Jerry

MH331 · #7 23-01-21, 05:33 PM

It looks to be a WW2 period Officer quality private purchase field service cap. The cap badge is incorrect for a RE Officer but it could be a Home Guard cap worn by a Great War Sapper who has retained his original cap badge.. just musing.

Mark

grenadierguardsman · #8 23-01-21, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MH331

It looks to be a WW2 period Officer quality private purchase field service cap. The cap badge is incorrect for a RE Officer but it could be a Home Guard cap worn by a Great War Sapper who has retained his original cap badge.. just musing.

Mark

I thought the badge was OSD ?
Andy

Sonofacqms · #9 23-01-21, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grenadierguardsman

I thought the badge was OSD ?
Andy

I would say the badge was an other ranks GvR Royal Engineers with patina which gives the look of an OSD, as to whether this was worn by an old soldier who served in the Home Guard could only be ascertained by contemporary photographs or other provenance.

This is what makes collecting militaria interesting and why items that come along as a lot should never IMO be separated.

Rob

grenadierguardsman · #10 23-01-21, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spindlewood Cottage

Would anyone know if the cloth patch was a period addition under the badge? Many thanks

Could we see the rear of the badge please, via the inside of the cap. Don't remove the badge.
Andy

JerryBB · #11 24-01-21, 11:23 AM

I used to own a khaki side cap (universal pattern field service cap) with Edward vii GG buttons and GG badge and it was thought to be a member of the home guard who had great war service

Spindlewood Cottage · #12 25-01-21, 06:19 PM

Thanks for the helpful comments, we do know the cap belonged to Maj Howard Reginald Jones P/ 126321, he was listed as being a L.Cpl in the RE in 1939. Could that be when this badge would have been issued?
The cap has been in the family since the war and was passed down. I recall there was a slouch hat and beret as well but not sure if they survived. I think if this patch would have only been on a slouch hat then maybe it was transferred to this cap to preserve it following the demise of the slouch. It may not be exactly as it was but a nice thing to keep hold of. The badge is fairly easy to remove so photos of the front and back as requested.

gb64 · #13 25-01-21, 06:56 PM

As Rob thought , that’s an other ranks GvR cap badge

Gerard