RWF, 1stWW, Wolseley Helmets, auctioned

[41st]

Originally Posted by Petriburg

The "Welsh" spelling was only in use for a short period around the turn of the 19/20th Centuries.

As an Army Cadet in the 1960's, I wore an O/R's cap badge with the Welch spelling, given to me by a former officer of the 7th Bn, who wore it during WW1, when on patrol (the officers' bronze pattern being attractive to enemy marksmen!)

The final a/a version of the RWF badge was also with the Welch spelling.

The spelling Welch is historic and was in use for much of the 19th Century. It was changed to Welsh at the end of the 19th Century against the wishes of both the Welsh Regiment and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Helmet plates to the volunteer battalions of the Welsh Regiment can be found with the Welch spelling and pre 1908 cap badges to the volunteer battalions of the RWF are also found with the Welch spelling.
The spelling reverted back to Welch for both units in 1920 and all regular cap badges with the Welch spelling issue from after that date.
An Officers' bronze would not offer any interest to a sniper compared to a bi-metal O.R's badge as it is of course delibertley darkened.
Only the Welch spelling should ever be found in the a/a version of the cap badge.

[Petriburg]

Originally Posted by 41st

The spelling Welch is historic and was in use for much of the 19th Century. It was changed to Welsh at the end of the 19th Century against the wishes of both the Welsh Regiment and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Helmet plates to the volunteer battalions of the Welsh Regiment can be found with the Welch spelling and pre 1908 cap badges to the volunteer battalions of the RWF are also found with the Welch spelling.
The spelling reverted back to Welch for both units in 1920 and all regular cap badges with the Welch spelling issue from after that date.
An Officers' bronze would not offer any interest to a sniper compared to a bi-metal O.R's badge as it is of course delibertley darkened.Only the Welch spelling should ever be found in the a/a version of the cap badge.

Sorry, I beg to differ. There's plenty of anecdotal evidence of officers ditching their bronze badges and wearing OR's instead. The very fact that they were wearing a darkened badge and not the bi-metal one would stand out to a sniper or observer, especially through a telescopic sight! Also, it was not unheard of for officers to patrol in an OR's tunic, as the wearing of the rank badges on the cuffs was another give-away. That's one of the reasons that officer rank insignia was eventually moved to the shoulder strap.