21st Officer Cadet Battalion - 1st World War

[Peter Brydon]

If anybody is interested in more on this subject, there are some very interesting post cards showing members of the WW1 Officer Cadet battalions and their insignia on The Great War Forum in the current thread called Post Cards ( start at the latest posts and work back a page or so to find them )


The R.E badge with the central cypher removed is particularly interesting.

P.B.

Link added
http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/fo...=153347&st=850

[2747andy]

Seems there were a few:

Officer Cadet Battalions

Household Brigade Officer Cadet Bn Bushey, Hertfordshire.
No 1 Bn Newton Ferrers, Devon.
No 2 Bn Pembroke College, Cambridge.
No 3 Bn Bristol.
No 4 Bn Oxford.
No 5 Bn Trinity College, Cambridge.
No 6 Bn Balliol College, Oxford.
No 7 Bn Moore Park, Co Cork.
No 8 Bn Lichfield.
No 9 Bn Gailes, Ayrshire.
No 10 Bn Gailes, Ayrshire.
No 11 Bn Pirbright.
No 12 Bn Newmarket.
No 13 Bn Newmarket.
No 14 Bn Berkhamstead, Hertfordshire.
No 15 Bn Romford.
No 16 Bn Kinmel, Rhyl.
No 17 Bn Kinmel, Rhyl.
No 18 Bn Bath.
No 19 Bn Pirbright.
No 20 Bn Crookham, Aldershot.
No 21 Bn Crookham, Aldershot.
Garrison Bn Jesus College, Cambridge.
In 1918 No 3 Bn moved to Parkhurst Isle of Wight. No 14 Bn moved to Catterick. The Garrison Bn became the No 22 (Garrison) Bn.

Now to find out which had a bespoke Cap Badge as opposed to STs worn in the cap. Those in Bold Blue I have evidence of a badge, anyone have any others?

Andy

[Neil Pearce]

Andy

Great idea. As you know, I am very interested in this, and have thought long and hard about it before. Sadly, I can't add anything, and in fact am stumped on some of the ones you list above. There was a frame sold some time ago at DNW - were these included?

Can you elaborate? I always though the majority of these used the "number" as a cap badge? It'll be interesting to see what badges come out of the woodwork...

Cheers, Neil

[2747andy]

Neil,
I've examples of three of the four highlighted at the moment, with the fourth inbound! Two of which I've only seen for the first time EVER in the past few weeks! There must be more out there somewhere?

Andy

[Neil Pearce]

Andy

There must be, as you say! Can you post what you have? I think I recall some pictures being posted on the forum ages ago? I think the 6th was included where they clearly wore the "title" as a cap badge?

Just looking at my notes on the DNW sale 16/9/2010 (Lot 1) I see they quote cap badges to the 21st, 12th and 20th (one new one for Crookham?), and titles to the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 7th and 15th and OTS/MHOW and another KC over OFFICER/CADET. I can't locate the picture at the moment....

Regards, Neil

[2747andy]

Here are some images of the 4 Cap Badges I have in my collection. They are as rare as "Hens Teeth" and if anyone fancies thier own "8th OCB" then Paul Laycock has one here! I'd snap it up as it's a bargain!

I've dropped some more images into an album, which shows the finer details of each badge. I'm affraid the Album will remain private, however PM me if you would like access.

Here are the examples I have so far and would be grateful of details, if anyone else has others!

Andy

[Neil Pearce]

Fantastic stuff Andy, congrats.

As below, maybe another "XX" variation for Crookham? Who knows? Are roman numerals added afterwards? Looks one piece to me?

Can you please let me have access to the album?

Cheers, Neil

[2747andy]

Neil,
Album is "work in progress" just adding images and text! It should be done in an hour or so!

Andy

[Peter Brydon]

Based on information in the chapter on Officer Cadet Battalions in John Bodsworth book "British Uniforms and Equipment of the Great War 1914-18" Vol 1, I wonder if the attached may be a cap badge for the 8th OCB in accordance with ACI 2346 of 15th December 1916 ?

P.B.

[2747andy]

Peter,
thanks for that, it could also be the Arm badge refered to by Gaylor?

Andy

[Peter Brydon]

Andy,
This is from the Bodsworth book

Peter

[2747andy]

Peter,
very interesting! Would I be correct in assuming that 1st and 2nd OCB were Cavalry? And obvoiusly the latest image loded into the album shows a cadet from 2 OCB with a metal ST type badge! Perhaps they moved to this post 1916?

Andy

[Peter Brydon]

Andy,

I dont know which OCB`s were Cavalry, I only have bits of information from various sources. The list of OCB`s in the article in the MHS West Midlands branch newletter came from Brigadier James`book. I dont have a copy but wonder if there is any further information in that .

Peter

[badjez]

A very interesting thread, despite not being able to see all the photos.
Is it coincidence that they should be coming out of the woodwork, as I've noticed a plethora of 6 OCB being offered for sale recently, many of them with a green cloth backing or sleeve?

http://www.buywyze.com/viewphoto.php...1019029&phqu=0

Stephen.

[Neil Pearce]

Looking at the DNW archive again, I'd hazard a guess that the "XX" picture represents a badge rather than a title. There is also a 7th Badge/title shown.

Anyone know what "OTS/MHOW" stands for?

http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctiona...o?itemid=73636