208 Bn CEF help needed

[Pylon1357]

OK lads, I have become somewhat guarded in asking for help on open forums until now. I have been on many forums where knowledgeable people reply to a simple request with the following answer...."Buy The Book".

Having said this, I need a little help in determining what the collar badges looked like for the 208th Irish Overseas Bn. I recall a badge book at the National Library and Archives Canada, where it showed the badges being a smaller version of the cap badge. My problem is that I have never seen photographs of these badges in wear, only the harp. I have two photos of men of the 208th, one from the left and one from the right, neither shows them straight on therefore I can not tell if in fact there is a right and left harp or not.

Also I was hoping that someone with the books could be so kind as to show me what the books show in regards to the original Irish Regiment Cap badge. I am referring to the 1st one. The one worn in 1915-1918. I believe it is simply a blackened Harp, although, again I am not certain of this.

I know what the Pre 1932 cap and collars look like, I just need images of the ones before that.

Any help in this regard is greatly appreciated.

Cliff

[Pylon1357]

Here is a photo of a 208th Irish Bn soldier, note the image clearly shows a harp collar and not a smaller version of the cap badge.

[guest_000]

THE 208 COLLAR IS SIMPLY A MINIATURE of the hat badge in every detail. tHE SOLDIER in the pic must still be wearing his militia accoutrements upon enlistment. Of note the collars are extremely rare for this badge and the harp collars with GS collars where probably more prevalent.

PAUL

[Pylon1357]

Thanks for that information Paul. I took a trip to the National Library and Archives Canada to look at the book again. The title of it "Overseas" The Lineages and Insignia of the CEF 1914-1919. Copyright date 1970 by Charles H. Stewart. Published by Little and Stewart and printed by Mission Press Toronto.

Now in regards to these badges. I wonder when the Bn took possession of the badges and if in fact they were actually issued. The Bn was raised in Toronto 03 March 1916, set sail for UK 03 May 1917, was broken up into the reserve pool 11 Jan 1918.

I just received a photo of 3rd Pl attached to a Christmas card dated 1917 unfortunately the members are all wearing the harp collars. At least I can now tell the Harps were opposing each other.

Paul by chance would you have set of these 208th collars??