Victorian Rifle Volunteers badge to I.D.

[manchesters]

Hello,

Please see the attached white metal Pouch Belt badge of a Victorian Rifle Volunteer Corps.

I bought it because it has the motto of my home town coat of arms, Ashton under Lyne, the 23rd Lancashire RVC (Later 7th Admin Bn) which I collect to, in the hope it was somehow connected, but I cant make it fit I am afraid. LABOR OMNIA VINCIT [ Labour Conquers All]

As you can see it has what I think are 3 fancy capital letters to the centre and therein lies the answer. It has to the centre a numeral 3 in brass attached.

A quick search throws up the following possibilities of other towns that had the same motto 150 years ago and who had a Rifle Volunteer Corps AND an association to the number 3.

Firstly, the 20th Staffordshire RVC from West Bromwich which in 1860 along with 7 other neighbouring Corps were formed into the 3rd Staffordshire Anmin Bn. Formed the 1st VB South Staffs Regt in 1883.

Secondly the 3rd West Yorkshire RVC from Bradford which later became the 2nd VB W.Yorks Regt in 1887

So please study the badge and in particular the letters in the centre and see if it fits with any of the above or I would welcome other identifications. If it doesnt turn out to be from Ashton I will sell it.

regards

[grey brigade]

The badge you have is a pouch badge of the 3rd London volunteer rifle corps
They were raised in Farringdon in the City of London and became the 7th London
In 1908

Hope this helps

[manchesters]

Thankyou for the suggestion, but in oder to verify the I.D.can you tell me how you arrived at that explaination.

What does the motto have to do with a City of London VRC?

Have you got/seen examples in use.

thankyou.

[grey brigade]

Simon

I think the motto was adopted from some livery companies who raised funds to raised the volunteers in the City of London - I have this badge in my collection with other pouch belt plates and a shako plate with the motto and the word London at the bottom of the badge
The 3rd London VRC changed their motto to the well known Domine Dirige Nos
At a later date (unknown) with their insignia

Regards

[manchesters]

Thankyou.

To clinch it would be so kind as to post photos of the 2 badges you describe.

regards

[cavalryman]

Hi Simon, Look at this link it does say about the motto being correct. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/7th_(C...ondon_Regiment regards John

[manchesters]

Thanks John, thats encouraging.

Looking forward to seeing Grey Brigades badge photos also.

regards

[grey brigade]

Simon

Please an image of my 3rd London V.R.C.as promised they are mounted with the 7th London regiment items I have in my collection - the image is the best I can reproduce being they are on a large card.
The top of the card has the badge you have requested information on and to the left of this is the shako plate with the motto in question with London at the bottom of the badge- you will also see that there are 2x oval pouch badges where they adopt the grenade -I am unsure of the date for this change.

I hope this answer you request for information

Regards

[manchesters]

Thank you for the photograph, a very nice collection.

I have always thought their Helmet Plates were one of the most splendid ever made.

regards

[grey brigade]

Simon

It’s a pleasure and I am glad you like the helmet plates - they are some of my favourites.
The QVC Helmet plate was the first one to the London regiment I ever purchased a long time ago.

Regards