MORE NEW OFFICERS HOME SERVICE HELMET PLATES

[YeoHelmetGuy]

Hello All!

A package of newly acquired officer's home service helmet plates arrived today and I have posted them here for your consideration. The are helmet plates attributed to the 1st Shropshire Rifle Volunteer Rifle Corps, 6th West York Rifle Volunteer Corps, Royal Wiltshire Militia, and the Tower Hamlet Rifles. I think my thumb nail histories are substantially correct.

Helmet Plate attributed to the1st Shropshire Rifle Volunteer Corps as worn 1880 through 1888. Shropshire formed no fewer than 18 companies between 1859-60. By 1863 this number dropped to 16, however each company still consisted of around 100-120 men drawn from local trades and businesses. These part-time soldiers were required to do a number of days training each year as well as attending an annual fortnight’s camp. The 16 Shropshire companies were divided up into two “Administrative Battalions” (1st and 2nd Administrative Battalion) and in 1880 these would become the 1st and 2nd Shropshire Rifle Volunteer Corps, then renamed again in 1888 as the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Battalions, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The helmet plate is all silver with the central device set on black velvet.

Helmet Plate attributed to the 6th (The Huddersfield) West York Rifle Volunteer Corps as worn from 1878 through 1881. In February 1883 as a result of the Childers Reforms, the Corps was redesignated the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment with headquarters at The Armoury in Ramsden Street, Huddersfield. The uniform had been scarlet with sky blue facing, but the facings were changed to the standard white by 1887. The helmet plate is all silver with a Yorkshire Rose central device set on a black velvet ground.

Helmet Plate attributed to the Royal Wiltshire Militia as worn from 1878 through 1881. All silver with silver central device mounted on a black velvet ground. In 1881 under the Childers Reforms the Royal Wiltshire Militia was transferred to The Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire) Regiment as its 3rd Battalion.

Helmet Plate attributed to the Tower Hamlets Rifles as worn between 1878 and 1881. The unit was formed as the 1st Administrative Battalion, Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps in May 1861 by the grouping of six smaller rifle volunteer corps that were formed in 1860. The headquarters were established at Truman's Brewery, Spitalfields. In 1880 it was renamed and reorganized as 3rd Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps, with headquarters at Whitechapel Road. In 1881 it became a volunteer battalion of the Rifle Brigade. In 1894 the headquarters were moved to Bow. On 1st April 1908 the Territorial Force was formed, and all volunteer infantry battalions in the County of London became part of a new London Regiment. The 3rd Tower Hamlets VRC became 17th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles).

Cheers,

David

[Wmr-RHB]

There can be some slight corrections to several of the lineages above, but my main concern is the Tower Hamlets Rifles one.

The details can be seen here: Infantry Volunteers: Middlesex - Tower Hamlets
And it will tell you that the 3rd were renumbered 2nd already in 1880, after which there were the 1st and 2nd Tower Hamlets Rifle Volunteer Corps. As your badge does not show any number, how sure is it that this one is for the 2nd?

BTW the 1st is here: Infantry Volunteers: Middlesex - Tower Hamlets