johnnie Posted 27 December , 2012 Share Posted 27 December , 2012 Dear All, Just thought I would share the following photo. It came in a frame containing examples of cap badges for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Birmingham Battalions. These badges look quite old, although I assume they are not originals as they have sliders. Anyway, the photo seems to show men of one of the Royal Warwickshire Battalions and I was wondering if any members could confirm which Battalion it is. I have included a few close up shots of various badges to see if that helps. Out of interest. Could anybody suggest what the badge worn on the upper arm relates to. The man seems to have a bugle and I was wondering if it was some kind of Buglers badge. Any help or comments would be great, Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 27 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2012 On looking at the cap badges again, it looks a little like there may be different versions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on show. I've added a few close-up shots to see if that helps. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
high wood Posted 27 December , 2012 Share Posted 27 December , 2012 The shoulder title is the one worn by original members of the 15th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment (2nd Birmingham). If the photograph was taken later in the war the newer soldiers may not have been issued the original battalion cap badge as supplies may have run out. Nice head gear some of the men are wearing; have they been to the hairdressers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 27 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 27 December , 2012 Many thanks for the reply. I was a little confused by the items being worn on the head. I suppose a trip to the barbers could be an option! Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tony paley Posted 30 December , 2012 Share Posted 30 December , 2012 Dear All, Just thought I would share the following photo. It came in a frame containing examples of cap badges for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Birmingham Battalions. These badges look quite old, although I assume they are not originals as they have sliders. Anyway, the photo seems to show men of one of the Royal Warwickshire Battalions and I was wondering if any members could confirm which Battalion it is. I have included a few close up shots of various badges to see if that helps. Out of interest. Could anybody suggest what the badge worn on the upper arm relates to. The man seems to have a bugle and I was wondering if it was some kind of Buglers badge. Any help or comments would be great, Johnnie John, i think the badge on the sleeve is a 'drum' indicating the soldier is a member of the Battalion 'Corps of Drums' members are usually trained as buglers as well. tony P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Owl Posted 30 December , 2012 Share Posted 30 December , 2012 It is difficult to tell, but the 2 badges(close-ups)on the extreme right, appear to be the standard Royal Warwicks badge ie. no scroll showing? and possibly the third in from the right top row. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 31 December , 2012 Author Share Posted 31 December , 2012 Many thanks for the replies. So do we think that this is a later photo showing men from other battalions of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment who have been transferred, or is it an early photo showing men who have been moved over? I know that experienced men from other battalions were often transfered to Pals Battalions to help provide a foundation. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 31 December , 2012 Share Posted 31 December , 2012 Birmingham's three Pals battalions went from Kitchener Blue uniform to Khaki during July period, 1915, whilst training with rest of 32nd Div at Wensleydale, Yorkshire. The first week of August 1915 was spent on a musketry course at Hornsea before moving down to Codford Camp on Salisbury Plain for their final training prior to moving to France on 21 Nov. 1915. I would say this picture was taken during this period. The 1st and 2nd Birmingham Battalions had quite few men commissioned and it seems volunteers who joined from the beginning of 1915 to replace those being commissioned were issued with the standard Royal Warwicks badge. However, I have seen pictures of original volunteers were standard cap badges also. Perhaps they kept them for sweethearts. Regarding the cap badges that came with the frame if you can see fur on the antelope (not real fur) then its genuine. All the re-strikes have a smooth bodied antelope. Hope this helps Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Bennitt Posted 31 December , 2012 Share Posted 31 December , 2012 No indication of names for these guys (e.g. on back of photo)? My great uncle was a Birmingham Pal but I doubt if I could pick him out if he's there. cheers Martin B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Carter Posted 31 December , 2012 Share Posted 31 December , 2012 This is what I mean by the fur on an original cap badge Also the re-strikes do not have the jewels in the coronet around the antelope's neck Also original cap badges have sliders Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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