Newfoundland Regiment at Gallipoli, 1915

[badgecollector]

hi guys
was just reading about the Newfoundland Regiment at Gallipoli 1915 on this web site.
http://www.diggerhistory2.info/grave...wfoundland.htm

am i to understand, this badge was only worn by the troops that went to gallipoli? does this make it a CEF badge?
how common are these badges?
the newfoundland rgt have had some good looking badges!
BC

[servicepub]

Newfoundland only joined Confederation in 1949 so no WWI badge of theirs could be considered part of the CEF. This doesn't mean that their badges shouldn't be represented in a "Canadian" collection in much the same way that a New Brunswick Militia badge from pre-1867 could. Both are examples of badges worn by units that continue into today's modern Canadian Forces.

[guest_000]

THE NEWFOUNDLAND BADGES have always had a proud place in my CEF collection and the checklist I published a few years ago has a series set aside for the NEWFOUNDLAND BADGES.

PAUL

[DavidS]

Further to the original question, this is the pattern worn by the 1st (Royal) Newfoundland Regiment in WW1, not just troops at Gallipoli. Worst abuse of the regiment was Beaumont-Hamel at the Somme, where only approx. 70 of the regiment's 700 were not casualties after the July 1, 1916 'battle'.

The cap and collar are the same badge, so any left-facing caribou can be considered a cap badge. As for scarcity/value, these seem to average $125-$150 Cdn. but are getting pricier. Only officer's pattern (silver badge) I've seen sold for about $840 Cdn.

A caution here -- the post-1949 Royal Newfoundland Reg. collar badge is a very similar pattern as this, and has been flogged as a WW1 cap badge. There are differences, so a bit of research is advised.

[badgecollector]

thanks guys
looks like they were almost decimated on several occasions. certainly a proud fighting heritage.
BC

[Faugh-A-Ballagh]

Just adding my little bit of knowledge here. I visited Newfoundland memorial park at Beaumont Hamel on the Somme battlefield last summer on my first (but hopefully not me last) battlefield tour. This is a fascinating place with beautiful memorials and well preserved battlefields. Exceptionally well maintained by the Canadian government and very knowledgable tour guides. Well worth a visit. I suppose they were technically Kitchener's new army as opposed to the CEF, but no matter what, they paid a horendous price. I would be honoured to have one of their badges in my collection.

[badgecollector]

hey guys
was searching evil bay and found this badge. is this the badge we have been discussing?
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/CANADIAN-WW1-...QQcmdZViewItem

[Luke H]

Hi Guys,

I don't collect Canadian badges but am quite interested in the Newfoundlanders story (like most) and was wondering how much a WW1 ORs Newfoundland badge is actuall worth? (forgive my ignorance if it is to be found in more than one pattern or metal type - I really do know nowt on this)

I should imagine they are silly rare (not least due to the massive losses suffered during the war) and desirable much like the pals badges are of Kitcheners army. How many genuine ones do you see a year up for sale/auction or are they a once in a blue moon badge which causes a massive scramble when one appears?

Thanks for the info,

Luke

[guest_000]

The badge is classified now as scarce even though the collars and hat badge all face left and are same size there is a great new wave following among the islanders and collectors on both sides of the ATLANTIC thus driving up the price and driving down the availability as most don;t even make it to the list as they are sold off the want list fist and never seen. Because so many men went through the regiment during its duty many makers made many badges and I have identified at least 5 makers both cast and stamped versions. One must also be aware of the lighter weight brass version post war that is fooling many collectors it has lugs and was worn before intigration and the pin backs. So when looking to buy ask for pictures fron back check for lugs not molded into the badge . If you find one in darkened bronze or heavy buttery feeling brass those are good signs also. Luke yiu can more than double the bid in the badge and still be doing fine if you don't want it let me know . Hope this helps your quest

PAUL