4th/5th/6th Bn Suffolk - another ‘badge story’?

[Luke H]

My TF Suffolk Reg turned up in the post today and just as interesting as the badge itself was the writing on the bit of card it came on.

Does anyone know if this is true regarding the 15th (Suffolk Yeomanry) Battalion or is it just another fanciful ‘badge story’?

Just to add to the debate the badge is Bodill Parker & Co, (marked BP&CoLD B’HAM) and I am of the belief that these are indeed WW1 following Ticker’s research here
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ghlight=Bodill

Cheers,
Luke

[Sonofacqms]

Luke, this is something I heard many years ago, as to whether there is any photographic evidence of this badge being worn with the Loyal Suffolk Hussars shoulder title is something I have not seen, maybe other Yeomanry specialists can tell you more.

Rob

[badjez]

I'm sceptical that this badge would have been introduced just for 15th (Yeomanry) Bn. This Bn were formed early 1917 by which time the 1916 economy badges had been introduced. It defies all logic that this Bn alone would swim against the flow and win the right to be at variance with everyone else.

Having read KLR's excellent work on the subject I cannot recall seeing anything that would make me doubt they wore the standard issue cap badges and titles.

If anything, I can imagine that Yeomanry stalwarts would have hung onto their Yeomanry insignia as long as possible. The Bn were obviously proud of their heritage, as shown by the Brigade they were part of adopting the 'broken spur' formation sign.

Stephen.

[Alan O]

I agree. The Yeomanry regts which were transferred to be Service Bns in Infantry roles often retained their old badges as long as they could but new recruits and replacements often wore the infantry badges.

TF badges were not authorised for issue post 1916 so the Suffolk TF badge being used by Yeo regt does not match up.

As ever there was an exception in that the 1917/18 Volunteer Bns (ex VTC) were authorised to wear blank scrolls badges in some cases. Not applicable to the Suffolks in this case.

[Luke H]

Thanks everyone.

I agree I can’t see why if they already had badges they’d have worried about swapping them - can easily imagine the old sweats wanting to show their lineage.

So far I’ve only found one picture of a group of officers purporting to be from the 15th battalion in 1918, sadly they’re all wearing tin hats. But interestingly, it appears as if some are wearing RA grenade collars?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikiped...1918_Q7163.jpg

On a trawl I have found a later circa WW2 portrait photo of an officer with a Suffolk Hussars cap badge also wearing what appears to be RA collars???

https://www.friendsofthesuffolkregim...3-archive.html (2nd picture down)

If this is the case I’d assume that if in 1918 they are wearing Yeomanry attributable collars then surely their cap badges would be Yeomanry too... and if the officers are wearing them then chances are so will the men?

Cheers again,
Luke

[badjez]

Luke,

The photo of the officers on the Western Front probably shows officers attached, and at least one appears to have staff gorget badges.

The photo of LSH cap badge & RA collars is probably post-war when they were reconstituted as an artillery unit.

Also, don't forget that other ranks in infantry units did not wear collar badges on Service Dress until post-war... but some yeomanry did.

Stephen.