KRRC with backing? - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

dumdum · #1 15-06-23, 12:23 AM

Hi

Have just been given this badge. Yes, it is broken and I plan to get it fixed but my question relates to the red felt backing.

Can anyone suggest if this is something done for wear or is it some collector who has perpetrated this to "make it look nice"?

Looks like it has been there a few years.

Luke H · #2 15-06-23, 01:33 AM

I should think it’s done because it’s broken to keep the badge and backing together.

cbuehler · #3 15-06-23, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luke H

I should think it’s done because it’s broken to keep the badge and backing together.

Quite obviously so. I don't know if this badge has some particular personal or historical significance, but if not, it is a very common badge not worth the repair in my opinion.

CB

dumdum · #4 15-06-23, 06:09 AM

Thanks guys. It was a present from a dear old friend so I'll probably get it repaired just to show good faith.

I'm aware that there are some badges that do have backings and, not knowing much about British badges, I wondered if this might have been a case of this.

Yes, a common badge that much I knew but wouldn't it be nice to know its story?

Alex Rice · #5 15-06-23, 06:58 AM

I thought this was done for wear? I have one with a similar backing and it has obviously been there for decades. It was not a badge which came from a collector and the backing looks original.
Cheers,
Alex

mike_vee · #6 15-06-23, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

I thought this was done for wear? I have one with a similar backing and it has obviously been there for decades. It was not a badge which came from a collector and the backing looks original.
Cheers,
Alex

IWM has a badge with :

Quote:

Red textile backing.

From GWF :

Quote:

the red Cloth patch behind the KRRC cap badge was in normal circumstances worn by all battalions of the regiment and commemorated the fact that, unlike their fellow Rifle Regiment, the former 95th of Foot, Rifle Brigade, they had begun their life as a scarlet clad unit, the 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot.

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/...omment=2846719

.

dumdum · #7 15-06-23, 09:33 AM

Hi Mike

Thanks for your input. On the basis of the "received wisdom" I will carefully remove the backing and get it repaired then replace the backing. Nice to know that it's part of its history!

Beastly common or not, it was a very thoughtful gift.

Mike H · #8 15-06-23, 04:10 PM

The backing is correct for the badge.

dumdum · #9 15-06-23, 11:43 PM

Thank you all for your input. I ALWAYS learn new things from the Forum and am very happy to share what little I know with the members.

dumdum · #10 16-06-23, 01:48 AM

For the interest of those who have commented on the KRRC badge with the red felt backing, here it is after being fixed. The guy who did this said he found the battle honours very interesting but rather frustrating to keep the solder away from.

The top IS straight but my photo skills have never been the best....

Now have to get out the needle and thread and rediscover my Cub Scout mending skills!

PS Have now noticed a small die crack to the top edge of the right arm of the cross.

stenoyab · #11 17-06-23, 02:00 PM

Was the red backing always cloth on these?, I have a Westminster badge that's on the top of a framed wound certificate for 551067 Sergeant Stanley Crisp , 16th Bn London Regiment, its red covered cardboard. Perhaps a wartime economy?.

grey_green_acorn · #12 17-06-23, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stenoyab

Was the red backing always cloth on these?, I have a Westminster badge that's on the top of a framed wound certificate for 551067 Sergeant Stanley Crisp , 16th Bn London Regiment, its red covered cardboard. Perhaps a wartime economy?.

Possibly cardboard was used to keep it moth proof when displayed?

Tim

oc14 · #13 17-06-23, 04:13 PM

Here are three examples from my collection, I’m not convinced that the one on the right is original to the badge

Paul

cbuehler · #14 18-06-23, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stenoyab

Was the red backing always cloth on these?, I have a Westminster badge that's on the top of a framed wound certificate for 551067 Sergeant Stanley Crisp , 16th Bn London Regiment, its red covered cardboard. Perhaps a wartime economy?.

Yes, cardboard, oil cloth etc., were sometimes used in lieu of cloth. Whatever the soldier liked apparently, but I doubt it was a common practice.
I have a Cornwall LI badge with some sort of red cardboard like material as a backing.

CB

Fatherofthree · #15 18-06-23, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cbuehler

Yes, cardboard, oil cloth etc., were sometimes used in lieu of cloth. Whatever the soldier liked apparently, but I doubt it was a common practice.
I have a Cornwall LI badge with some sort of red cardboard like material as a backing.

CB

CB, I suspect the chap who wore the badge with a cardboard backing didn't wear his cap in the rain.

Regards.

Brian