Unknown Militia Button

[41st]

Can anyone help ID this button please?
It's a pewter other ranks button that is approx. 17mm wide.
The initials look to be M & B with a clear M below. Above is the standard Georgian crown of the early period buttons.
I was given this by a friend of mine who was told it was a metal detecting find from the east of England.
He initially thought it might be Monmouth & Brecon Militia but we have no hard proof of this.
I've looked through the MHS Special Number on English Infantry Militia Buttons 1757 - 1881 and am unable to find a match.
Any ideas?

[4966Ian]

Hi there,

Not really much help I am afraid, but I think you are on the right road with the "Monmouth & Brecon Militia" idea. I have been through my reference books and this is the only Militia unit that I could see (this is where I am immediately proved wrong!!) that had the initials "M&BM".

I am sure you know the unit's history but just in case anyone else is interested, this is what my reference book ( Button Lines - issue 47 from 1986 - Article on Welsh Militia Buttons by Major H.G. Parkyn) shows:

1757 : Monmouthshire Militia
1798 : Monmouth & Brecon Militia
1808 : Royal Monmouth and Brecon Militia
1820 : Royal Monmouth Militia
1853 : Royal Monmouth Light Infantry
1877 : Royal Monmouthshire Engineers Militia

Unfortunately, he doesn't state or show what the early buttons used were. The first button shown/discussed is the pre-1855 button which had the design of "31" inside the strings of a Light Infantry Bugle with a crown above.

However, I should point out that the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers website (http://monmouthcastlemuseum-archives.org.uk/) shows the following dates, which differ quite considerably in some cases:


• Monmouthshire Militia (1660-1793)
• Monmouth and Brecon Militia (1793-1804)
• Royal Monmouth and Brecon Militia (1804-1820)
• Royal Monmouthshire Militia (1820-1852)
• Royal Monmouthshire (Light Infantry) Militia (1852-1877)
• Royal Monmouthshire Engineers (Militia) (1877-1896)
• Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Militia) (1896 to date)



Anyway, back to the button. I would pressume that the Georgian Crown indicates that this button would actually be for the "Royal" Monmouth and Brecon Militia, rather than just the "Monmouth & Brecon Militia", so would date it to approx 1804-08 to 1820.

Good luck with your investigations, please let me know if you do eventually track this button down to a particular unit.

Cheers

Ian

[41st]

Ian,

Thanks for the in depth and informative response. It gives me something to go on.

I do have a Glamorgan Militia Officer's button without the Royal in the title, and whilst there is no crown (PoW plumes of course) I am able to get a rough fix on the date as it is marked to McGowan, Soho on the back.

Hwyl,
Kevin