CEF & Militia Confusion - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Bill A · #1 29-02-08, 02:07 AM

During WW1, there were two armies in Canada. One was the pre-1914 militia, and the other was the Canadian Expeditionary Force. The main effort was concentrated on the CEF, but a couple of militia units were authorized and organized during the war. Two of these were the 108th and the 109th Regiments, not to be confused with the 108th and 109th Battalions CEF. The badges of the 108th and 109th are often confused with CEF battalion badges. They are really badges of the Canadian militia. An example of the 109th Regiment is attached.

Pylon1357 · #2 01-03-08, 05:07 AM

Interesting you bring this up Bill. The Irish Regiment was another militia unit authorized and organized during WWI. It was raised 15 October 1915 and designated the 110th Irish Regiment.

The 110th Bn CEF was the Perth Regiment.

Bill A · #3 01-03-08, 11:00 AM

Hi Cliff. Perhaps you may know. Why didn't the 110th Irish Regiment use the number in the badge design?

Pylon1357 · #4 01-03-08, 01:50 PM

From the very few references I have been able to find, it appears to me they wore a simple harp as a cap badge. I am overdue for a trip to the Museum and Regtl archives in Sudbury. This is one of the questions I want answered.

Bill A · #5 01-03-08, 02:23 PM

Cliff, Honk as you drive by. I live in North Bay. (Or drop in and have a coffee..)

Pylon1357 · #6 02-03-08, 04:17 PM

I may just do that Bill.

I read my reply and forgot one VERY important detail I left out... The main reason for my comment about the 110th Irish Regiment militia and the 110th Perth Bn CEF, is that I recall seeing an Irish Harp badge with a silver coloured 110th Bn scroll below the harp. This badge was at the show in Toronto about 3 years ago. I have not seen this badge since. I think someone got taken.

In my opinion this badge is made up. If I recall correctly, The harp quality was very good, as was the quality of the scroll. However the overall appearence of the badge was poor. The scroll appeared to be soldered to the bottom of the harp at a very slight angle. The base of the WWI era harp is quite small and results in a very small surface area for the scroll to be attached.

I hope I have not confused anyone here. My explainations are sometimes rather less than saticfactory.