WW1 55th Division Patches-variants

[MH331]

Here are a few variants of the 55th Div Insignia - all WW1

regards

Mark

[Mike Jackson]

Excellent - Have you any idea when the number of leaves per stem was reduced from 7 to 5? Mike

[irish]

Very nice array.

Jack

[Peter Brydon]

Mark,

Some very nice badges.

Here are some of my examples which cover the whole period the sign was in use, sadly the No4 Independent Company sign is not a genuine one.

I cannot remember where I got the picture of the last one from but it is a WW1 officers example and I think possibly a one off ( like the No.4 Independent Company one, I wish it was mine ).

Peter

[conservator]

I have read a couple of posts relating to the 55th Div badge and the question being raised regarding the change from seven leaves per side to five. I thought that I'd throw in this piece of info that might cast a different light.
In the mid-1970s, a good friend of my mother's explained to me that her father had designed this badge and that he had used the red rose to represent the county of Lancashire, and five leaves on each side of the stem to represent 55 (5 and 5). The father of the lady was Rev Canon James Ogden Coop, DSO TD, MA. He was Senior Chaplain (C of E) to the Forces, 1st Class, to the 55th West Lancs Div. during the war, and Senior Chaplain to the Forces in the Western Command, as well as being vicar of St Margaret's, Anfield, Liverpool after the War. He was the author of two books, The Story of the 55th Division, 1916-1919 and A Short Guide to the Battlefields. I regard the information from this lady as being completely accurate. She gave me a bronze Royal Drawing Society medal around the time, engraved 'K E Coop, 1926' and I did wonder, some years later, whether she had drawn the badge herself from her father's design, and had simply been too modest to mention it - something I'll never know.
However, it would seem that it was only ever intended to have five leaves per side as they actually represent the number of the division, and any more or any less simply would have no relevance. My guess is that the seven leaf badges may well have been a manufacturing error, made many decades ago without realising the significance of having five leaves per side.
Are there any contemporary photographs showing seven leaf badges being worn? Or, does anyone have any info regarding the legitimate wear of seven leaf badges?
Regards,
George

[Peter Brydon]

George,

Not a contemporary photograph but a picture of the service dress tunic of Lt.Pegge of the 6th Kings Liverpool Rifles in my collection which shows the 7 leaf sign in use.

Apparently for some reason, according to Anne Claytons book, "Chavasse Double V.C. " there was some animosity between the Reverend Coop and Bishop Chavasse, the Bishop of Liverpool and father of Noel Chavasse.

P.B.

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by Peter Brydon

George,

Not a contemporary photograph but a picture of the service dress tunic of Lt.Pegge of the 6th Kings Liverpool Rifles in my collection which shows the 7 leaf sign in use.

Apparently for some reason, according to Anne Claytons book, "Chavasse Double V.C. " there was some animosity between the Reverend Coop and Bishop Chavasse, the Bishop of Liverpool and father of Noel Chavasse.

P.B.

Peter,

Your "Museum" puts the Liverpool Museum on the pierhead to shame.

regards

[Peter Brydon]

Thanks Simon,

What I find sad is that the present Kings Collection display in the new Museum is the 3rd display that I have known in the city and each time the collection has been moved , less and less material has been put on display.

I am afraid Museums today seem to cater more for touchy feely items and areas where visiting school kids can eat their packed lunches rather than displaying the objects that enthusiasts want to see.

I have to say that last time I was at the Museum of the Manchesters I was very impressed.

Regards

Peter

[Mike Jackson]

Here's a near contemporary reference - from "Divisional and Other Signs" written and illustrated by Capt V Wheeler-Holohan, 12th London Regt, published 1920:
55 WL Div.02.jpg