Cap badge similar to Kings (Liverpool) Rgt

[DJM]

My Grandfather enlisted as a private in the Royal Berkshire Regiment in 1914, though I have found a family photo of him taken in 1917 wearing a serjeant's stripes and a cap with a cap badge that isn't Royal Berks - looks like Kings Liverpool but the horse's tail seems to be too high up. Any suggestions?

[Blackblue]

I'd agree its Kings.

Rgds

Tim D

[pbrydon]

I agree, Kings badges came with various styles of horse etc.

P.B.

[DJM]

Thanks Tim and P.D. - didn't appreciate the variations possible. Now just have to try and work out how he got the uniform!

All the best, DJM

[jay dubaya]

The horses tail became attached to the scroll post 1926 when the lettering changed to old English

Jon

[Sepoy]

He is wearing a "Mourning button" ie covered in black material.

Sepoy

[pbrydon]

This is a picture of 2nd Lt. Sidney Herbert Webster who died of wounds when serving with the 6th Kings Liverpools ( Liverpool Rifles ) on 17th December 1917. It is interesting to note the design of his cap and collar badges.

P.B.

[sw63]

DJM - If you give us his name we might be able to find his MIC for you.

Simon

[Blackblue]

MIC mention Berks only I'm afraid.

It is possible that he was transferred to the Kings after being invalided to the UK, but did not return to active service hence no mention on MIC.

Rgds

Tim D

[DJM]

He convalesced in Ireland, so if he had been made a serjeant in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Kings, which was a training unit which remained in the UK (i.e. in Cork from 1917) throughout the war, would he only have been eligible for campaign medals for his service with the Berkshires, hence the MICs only recording his R Berks R service? Family lore has it that he rejoined the Berkshires in Italy at the end of the war, so suggests that he rejoined his old regiment (1/4th) at his original rank?

Interesting about the mourning button - I have a photo of his brother-in-law from about the same time (in the French infantry) wearing a black arm band with his uniform - I will have to go back to the family tree and see whether they were possibly mourning the same person?

[Blackblue]

Service with the Kings in Ireland is a possibility and should have reflected Berks only on MICs. Going from Berks to Kings and back to Berks (even the same Battalion) would not have been common.

[purley]

If he went to Italy in 1917 with the R Berks it would be to the 1st/4th battalion but I cant find him either in my database or in any of the Army lists of the 4th Bn

The only man I have who even vaguely fits is 24650 Sidney Webster who served in several R Berks Battalions

regards

John

[BillyH]

This is a picture of 2nd Lt. Sidney Herbert Webster who died of wounds when serving with the 6th Kings Liverpools ( Liverpool Rifles ) on 17th December 1917. It is interesting to note the design of his cap and collar badges.

P.B.

(post #7) But that isn't a 6th KLR cap badge?

This is a 6th cap badge. BillyH.

[pbrydon]

I was aware of the design of the cap badge of the 6th Kings but the picture I posted is an original of the picture which accompanies Sidney Websters entry in " Liverpools Scoll of fame ". Sidney was commissioned into the Kings and posted to the 6th battalion.

The badge showing the rose and bugle horn was the other ranks badge, officers of the 6th Kings wore a boss badge with bugle horn.

P.B.

[DJM]

Just to set the record straight, it appears that the chap in the Kings Liverpool uniform is my grandfather's brother, so that saves one conundrum, Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments above. Now I have two soldiers to research.