HMP badge - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

dumdum · #1 20-07-23, 12:03 AM

Hi folks

Have had this badge for a few years and it kept on appearing and then disappearing again.

I'm guessing that it's a collar from the size but what is the O.R.C. bit? Presumably pre-1953 and it has two loops to the reverse and the usual hollow-backed style seen on military badges.

Answers on a postcard...

Home Guard · #2 20-07-23, 03:09 AM

I would think that Yorkstone can probably help you with this one. He serves, collects and is pretty knowledgeable of this kind of thing.

Terry

Milmed · #3 20-07-23, 05:52 AM

ORC = Orange River Colony

Today known as the Orange Free State, one of the provinces in South Africa.

Post Boer War, they had a small police force and a small prison department.

This was worn to about 1910/1912 when all the Colonies Prison Department amalgamated into one - South African Prison Department

Still need to add one of these ORC Prison badges to my small collection of SA Prison Department badges

Steven

dumdum · #4 20-07-23, 05:53 AM

Hi Terry

Many thanks for that. Look forward to seeing what he has to say!

How are you keeping?

dumdum · #5 20-07-23, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milmed

ORC = Orange River Colony

Today known as the Orange Free State, one of the provinces in South Africa.

Post Boer War, they had a small police force and a small prison department.

This was worn to about 1910/1912 when all the Colonies Prison Department amalgamated into one - South African Prison Department

Still need to add one of these ORC Prison badges to my small collection of SA Prison Department badges

Steven

Hi Steven

Many thanks for that. I do hate mysteries so you've helped me out there! Look, if you want to PM me I'm sure we could work something out as I really need to thin stuff out.

Badge is in great condition with both original lugs in place.

yorkstone · #6 20-07-23, 08:10 PM

I see milled hit the home run on this badge.

I have several South African prison badges in my Commonwealth album to see but not this one.
Nice to see other HMP items on the forum their are few books on the subject and are several collectors on the forum with greater knowledge than I
Yours in collecting

Stephen

dumdum · #7 21-07-23, 10:28 AM

Hi Stephen

Thanks for that. It's fairly obvious to me NOW but it had been annoying me for ages!

Nice to be able to show something a bit out of the ordinary.

yorkstone · #8 21-07-23, 10:40 AM

Hi pall can we get image of the back please
Regards
Stephen E

dumdum · #9 22-07-23, 07:19 AM

Hi Stephen

Yes, of course. I just posted this quickly to get an ID on the badge.

dumdum · #10 23-07-23, 11:39 PM

Hi Stephen

Photo of reverse of ORC badge as requested. Forgot to include my trademark stainless steel ruler but it is 30mm from bottom of badge to top of crown.

Further comments welcome!

Bantam · #11 16-09-23, 11:05 AM

Hi dumdum,
Sorry for delay in replying but given the measurements I believe the badge is the collar badge and not cap.The badge for white staff were in w/m and black staff y/m
Regards,
Bantam