Durban Light Infantry - Page 3 - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Brian Conyngham · #31 03-12-11, 10:11 AM

Iain

Regards your red backing question, it has just dawned on me that possibly it was part of the red band worn around the officers cap badge, the person possibly cut out part of the red band and kept it like that?

See picture of my cap above!

Brian

iaindh · #32 03-12-11, 01:18 PM

Hi Brian,

I saw the cap you posted and thought that may be the case; it seems to be too coincidental not to be.

regards,

Iain

Traist · #33 03-12-11, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

A number of buttons worn over time by the unit, strangely very few have the DLI badge and the chromed version has a rather strange crown/castle and anchor combo. All these were given to me by the Quarter master when I did some time there during my NS in the late 1970's.

Hi Brian, The button on the right has the same device on the top as the Cape Town Rifles cap badge. I wonder if it was worn by the DLI or was something that the QM had knocking about? Regards Andrew

Arthur R · #34 03-12-11, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Brian, The button on the right has the same device on the top as the Cape Town Rifles cap badge. I wonder if it was worn by the DLI or was something that the QM had knocking about? Regards Andrew

I think you're spot on, Andrew. The CTR had a button of this pattern designed in the 1960s, but it was not adopted. I recall the regiment had a prototype in its collection - this may be another, that ended up in Durban.

Brian Conyngham · #35 04-12-11, 05:15 AM

Guys

It is possible that the CTR or the manufacturers had sent this one up to the DLI as an example of their work?

Brian

Traist · #36 04-12-11, 11:24 AM

Hi Brian, I have found an art card for a Cape Town Rifles (DUKES) button like that, just with the name around the edge. It was approved in the 1980's. Regards Andrew

Arthur R · #37 04-12-11, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Traist

Hi Brian, I have found an art card for a Cape Town Rifles (DUKES) button like that, just with the name around the edge. It was approved in the 1980's. Regards Andrew

Approved but never manufactured or worn. I have a vague recollection that Defence HQ insisted that the button be chrome, but the regiment insisted on brass/gilt, and that the impasse was not resolved. In the event, the regiment wore the normal 'springbok' buttons (in brass) on stepouts, and on undress blues the NCOs wore springbok buttons and the WOs and officers wore the old 'Duke of Edinburgh's Own Rifles' buttons (also in brass).

Traist · #38 04-12-11, 05:24 PM

Thanks Arthur.

Traist · #39 04-12-11, 05:38 PM

I went digging now and found both, so I'll put them here on record. The one you have Brian must have come into the DLI by a circular route. Regards Andrew

Brian Conyngham · #40 05-12-11, 06:17 PM

Guys

The button given to me is chrome, Andrew nice to see the cards with the designs, very nice Africana!

As far as I can remember many of the D.L.I. chaps also wore the standard Springbok button.

Glad that this has been cleared up and the button in my collection has been correctly identified, thanks.

Brian

Brian Conyngham · #41 10-12-11, 06:52 PM

Found this today whilst scratching through one of my "many" boxes, although not a badge it was an interesting item worn by NCO's during the regiments British years.

Seldom seen these days, suspect the kids got hold of them or the moths ate them!

Note the detail.

milhistry · #42 15-12-14, 09:13 AM

Cap badges always seem to be silver/white metal/chrome but older collar dogs brass or bronze. Were they wirn together? When were chrome collars introduced?

Milmed · #43 15-12-14, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

Page 2 this is a continuation of the previous thread, as the allowed attachment allocation of 15 was exceeded.

The Pith Helmet colour flash was apparently worn from 1923 into the 1950's. I am not sure if the way it is displayed here is correct as I have not seen a colour picture to confirm how it was worn. Please can someone assist with this.

The yellow has faded badly in my example, however the view of the rear gives a better idea of the correct colour.

Regards
Brian

Hi Brian,
I see this old thread has been revived, so I am taking the oppurtunity to confirm the display of the DLI flash. The orientation you have is correct according to the 1923 dress regulations that state for combatant CF units:

Top half colour of Province (i.e. Blue for Natal)
Bottom half colour of Arm of Service (i.e. Black for infantry)

A regimental design is allowed to be plased horizontally to centre of flash but may not exceed 1 inch in depth (i.e. 1/3 of the design)

Regards
Steven

Brian Conyngham · #44 18-12-14, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by milhistry

Cap badges always seem to be silver/white metal/chrome but older collar dogs brass or bronze. Were they worn together? When were chrome collars introduced?

I would say they would not have been worn mixed brass and white metal/chrome but chrome /white metal not an issue.

BC

milhistry · #45 23-12-14, 06:13 AM

That seems logical to me however I have seen a number of gilt and bronze DLI collar badges but have never come across a bronze or gilt cap badge.

I've also seen pictures of CTR (Dukes) officers wearing what appeared to be bi-metal beret badges, bronze collar dogs and brass shoulder titles together... so anything is possible I suppose

Any ex-DLI folks out there who might be able to clarrify or show us some pictures?