The Dukes - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Nick Yorks · #1 10-09-10, 02:00 PM

I have posted an enquiry on the orphan collar and shoulder titles page regarding a shoulder title i have recently bought. It may be that this is associated with the Cape Town Rifles. Can anyone confirm this please?
Thanks
Nick

lancashirefusilier · #2 10-09-10, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Yorks

I have posted an enquiry on the orphan collar and shoulder titles page regarding a shoulder title i have recently bought. It may be that this is associated with the Cape Town Rifles. Can anyone confirm this please?
Thanks
Nick

Hello Nick

Your title is to the South African Unit Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles.

Cheers

Dave

Nick Yorks · #3 10-09-10, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the confirmation Dave.
Do you know the dates when this title would have been used and any idea as to rarity?
Cheers,
nick

lancashirefusilier · #4 10-09-10, 03:18 PM

Nick

Owen has your badge in use from 1932 to date.There are however some mistakes in his book.From your research you will know that this unit has a complex history and is related to the Cape Town Rifles.

Dudley Wall has your title in use between 1932-1950 which seems plausible.
There are some SA Owls on the site and I'm sure that they will soon pitch in!

Cheers

Dave

lancashirefusilier · #5 10-09-10, 03:19 PM

ps

On rarity I would say "common"

Nick Yorks · #6 10-09-10, 04:08 PM

Thanks for the info Dave, much appreciated. We'll see if anyone else pitches in.
Nick

Traist · #7 10-09-10, 07:58 PM

Hi Nick/Dave, this item is fairly common. The Dukes were never a small unit. The Dukes became the Cape Town Rifles in the 1960's, but are still called the Dukes. Regards Andrew

Nick Yorks · #8 12-09-10, 05:32 PM

Thanks Andrew,. I reckon that puts it to bed.
Nick.

Arthur R · #9 12-12-10, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Yorks

Thanks Andrew,. I reckon that puts it to bed.
Nick.

If I may chip in after bedtime. I did Citizen Force camps in the Dukes in the 1970s and '80s, and can confirm that we wore this shoulder title on service dress and undress uniforms. The date 1932 is correct too - prior to that the title had read 2-DUKES to indicate that the regiment was the 2nd Infantry. The numeral was removed when the numerical titles were dropped in 1932.