ACS Cadet Corps Badge

[djwshort74]

Good morning everyone
I've seen a Cadet Corps Cap badge recently and am absolutely stumped on identification.
It's A. C. S. Cadet Corps with Prince Of Wales's Plumes & ICH DIEN scrolls.
It's definitely a C. and not a G.
Your help is really appreciated

[Alan O]

It appears to be an early badge circa 1905 so is old which makes identifying it very hard as there is no list of cadet corps from that period.

The feathers may suggest a Welsh connection but not for certain. If it's outside your collecting sphere then do let me know.

[Peter Brydon]

A cracking badge.

P.

[norfolk regt man]

That’s quite a nice item, well done on your first post.

[Luke H]

Nice badge. Very scarce. Think Bosley’s sold one recently in an auction.

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by Luke H

Nice badge. Very scarce. Think Bosley’s sold one recently in an auction.

Luke,

You are correct it was March 2021 and they had it listed as A.G.S. and not A.C.S.

I thought at the time it was Aberystwyth Grammar School, but no proof.

regards

[Mike H]

Ardwyn County School or Aberystwyth County School. The school didnt have grammar in the title until around 1940

[manchesters]

Mike, sounds very plausible I think. Regards

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by manchesters

Luke,

You are correct it was March 2021 and they had it listed as A.G.S. and not A.C.S.

I thought at the time it was Aberystwyth Grammar School, but no proof.

regards

You are correct Simon, lot 270 in the March 2021 auction which on checking I recall had a very Welch theme.

https://www.easyliveauction.com/cata...-only-lot-270/

In fact. I would say it is that exact badge which has undergone a gentle clean since the Bosley’s photograph. Some of the stains on the scroll and feathers are just visible and the bur on the scrolls matches.

Begs the question djwshort74 where have you seen it? Presumably the buyer knew what it was to spend nearly £300 on it…

[Alan O]

I have been slowly working through Cadet Corps histories and the source material is very limited as they were often unfunded and unrecognised unlike the Junior Division OTCs which were in the Army list. Many WW1 VTCs had cadets but they were not school based. Although some schools did have VB affiliations prior to 1908 and wore their badges.

There were distinct times when Cadet Corps were raised in large numbers: first circa 1900 as a result of the Boer War. I have seen period accounts recording their demise after a few years (often due to lack of funding) and it was often the cadet corps in the (richer) public schools that continued and were turned into OTCs in 1908. These were seen as Officer-class units so got investment.

There was a second period of cadet Corps being formed in 1915 and again in 1917-18. Once again as with Boer War, the end of the war saw many close in 1919 when enthusiasm waned.

The cuts of 1930 saw many of the remaining (non OTC) cadet corps close although some did limp on or we re-raised again in WW2. Many schools did see ATC units raised in the late 30s or early 40s and I suspect this was due to RAF funding being available.

As regards this badge, I now do remember it being in the Bosleys auction so that is an expensive punt if you can't tie it to a known school. I have a few candidates worthy of research.

[djwshort74]

Thanks Alan, it's a tough one tbh, would be great to finally find out what exactly it is.

[djwshort74]

Hi Luke
A friend of mine has it in his collection, quite a talking point for us all as no-one is aware of it's identity, just guesses.