Pre-War Cloth Shoulder Titles, Rank and Insignia photos.

[Derek Black]

Pick apart the uniform of this marvelously looking gent please?

[RNCVR]

Wow!  5 clasp Egypt medal, thats impressive!  Think 19th Hussars & Black Watch qualified for multiclasp Egypts during the 1884-85 campaign, but I collect RN Bde so not certain on that.

 

Frogsmile will be along to assist on his uniform ID!

 

LOVE his moustache, thats impressive also!

 

Thanks for posting Derek.

Bryan

Edited 18 April , 2020 by RNCVR

[Dragoon]

14 minutes ago, Derek Black said:

Pick apart the uniform of this marvelously looking gent please?

Nice photo!

Love it.

Royal Artillery, Gun layers qualification badge.

 

Chris

[Dragoon]

17 minutes ago, Derek Black said:

Pick apart the uniform of this marvelously looking gent please?

Nice photo!

Love it.

Royal Artillery, Gun layers qualification badge. Volunteer I think.

 

Chris

[Muerrisch]

Correct.

Bombardier.

[FROGSMILE]

No he’s a Volunteer RA Corporal.  Bombardiers had only one stripe at that time.   He must be an ex regular to have that medal combination. 
 

Edited 18 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Derek Black]

Thanks gents, that was rapid,

 

Derek.

[FROGSMILE]

18 minutes ago, Derek Black said:

Thanks gents, that was rapid,

 

Derek.

Each of the efficiency stars on his cuff represent 5-years of attendance at drills.  Later on that was reduced to 4-years, but your man has 15-years efficient service as a volunteer.

Edited 18 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Derek Black]

are the buttons of an artillery gun?

Edited 18 April , 2020 by Derek Black

[FROGSMILE]

4 minutes ago, Derek Black said:

are the buttons of an artillery gun?

Yes, with crown over.  In white metal for volunteers. 

Edited 18 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Jools mckenna]

While we're on the topic of trade badges could someone tell me what this one means?

[FROGSMILE]

11 minutes ago, Jools mckenna said:

While we're on the topic of trade badges could someone tell me what this one means?

 

I think it’s Ground Observer. RGA Siege Companies and Howitzer Batteries.  Trained in flash spotting and sound ranging, etc.

Edited 18 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Jools mckenna]

3 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said:

I think it’s Ground Observer. MM RGA Siege Companies and Howitzer Batteries.  Trained in flash spotting and sound ranging, etc.

Thank you, been wondering what that was for a while!

[FROGSMILE]

1 minute ago, Jools mckenna said:

Thank you, been wondering what that was for a while!

Royal Engineers and Intelligence staff were also involved due to the need for accuracy in ‘fixing’ the locations of enemy batteries ready for counter battery bombardments.

[Muerrisch]

The Observer badge was much later than the L appointment badge of course. One of the Great War period badges arising from need for new expertises: LG, HG, red grenade for bomber, blue grenade for trench mortar and several more.

[Muerrisch]

British Army Proficiency Badges.

 

Found 3 mint copies second edition, sold 2 on Badge Forum,  £75 includes postage, first one up gets last copy in captivity.

 

gone.

Edited 29 April , 2020 by Muerrisch

[GWF1967]

39 minutes ago, Muerrisch said:

British Army Proficiency Badges.

 

Found 3 mint copies second edition, sold 2 on Badge Forum,  £75 includes postage, first one up gets last copy in captivity.

PM sent.

[Muerrisch]

Sold to the man.

Regret all gone except my personal scribbling copy.

[Toby Brayley]

Quite an unusual unsent Postcard.

 

Royal Irish Fusiliers enjoying some "Bayonet practice"  Combining all I love about the era, Mk1* Lee Metford rifles,  Brodrick and the cloth RIF shoulder titles. I do not think they have yet graced this thread. 

 

 

Close up of the RIF title.

 

 

Note the sight protector! 

Edited 30 April , 2020 by Toby Brayley

[FROGSMILE]

Those Brodrick caps look really nicely ‘set up’ and it’s the first time that I think I’ve ever seen soldiers looking quite smart wearing them.  Super picture Toby, thank you for posting it.

Edited 30 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Toby Brayley]

A rather  charming Cabinet Card of a Private of 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers) and family c1903. A veteran of South Africa.

Edited 7 May , 2020 by Toby Brayley

[FROGSMILE]

Thank you Toby, another super view of the cavalry frock that Winston Churchill referred to as a 'Jumper' in his earliest autobiography, and that replaced the much missed stable jacket as undress.  On the later version, worn just before WW1, a coloured tab (gorgette) was worn on the collar's front (white in the case of 6th DG).

Edited 7 May , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Toby Brayley]

One of my favourites in my collection. A young Bugler from the Rifles affiliated 1st Volunteer Battalion of the East Kent Regiment (the Buffs).

He wears the Brodrick Cap (of Cloth, Green, Rifles), 7 button tunic, with Volunteer cuff detail and the Rifles specific crossed bugles badge.

 

 

[FROGSMILE]

Fantastic image Toby, thank you for posting.  It’s quite often forgotten that the VF/TF had Boy entrants, the difference from their regular counterparts being that they could only be engaged in the band and drums/bugles, etc. and did not have domestic artisans.  I can see why it’s one of your favourites.

Edited 10 May , 2020 by FROGSMILE

[Toby Brayley]

"Frock, White, Cotton."

 

A recent addition to my collection. Thought you might like!

A very rare original 1890s, white Cotton Frock to a Serjeant signals instructor of the South Staffordshire Regiment c1903 (with the QSA ribbon)

These frocks can very easily be confused with the canvas/duck fatigue rig, except for their much thinner cotton drill construction. According to the 1894 Clothing Regulations, the frocks were issued in certain (but not all) warm climates including; India, The Caribbean, Hong Kong, but excluding Egypt, Malta, Gibraltar and South Africa.

This particular example has all 7 (5 on front 2 on shoulders) of the QVC Crown Buttons (original to the garment) held on with brass rings.

The insignia is loosely attached with brass hook and eyes, frequently seen on the KD and "whites" on Foreign Service, so that the "Dhobi" can easily remove it and clean. It has a double brass hook closure on the collar. Presumably, brass is used to prevent rust during the frequent cleaning these garments would have needed.

The Crimson Sjts Sash is an original 1890s example but not original to the Frock. The crossed flags are also not original to the Frock but fit perfectly with the eyes that are there (I would say its either crossed flags or rifles that were there originally).

 

 

Style in wear with L.I Pioneer Sjt. 

 

Edited 23 May , 2020 by Toby Brayley