2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays)

[chrismanning]

Can anyone help me these look like very flimsy belt buckles from the Queens Bays (Great Uncles Regiment) but can anyone tell me what part of the uniform they came from

[Ron Clifton]

Hello chrismanning

 

They certainly look like a pair of belt buckles, but I don't think that the "Bays" badge was associated with any uniform belt - it is essentially a headdress badge. They look more like an adornment to a lady's belt for a ball-gown or similar.

 

Ron

[chrismanning]

Hi Ron,

this is odd as my great uncle was only a private in Queens bays and was only 21 when he died in 1914 he wasn't married and was still living at home with his parents when he was killed at Ypres

the buckles are very flimsy its a real mystery.

 

but thanks for the info

[FROGSMILE]

Rob is correct, they are for ladies evening dress. Often known as ‘Levee Clasps or Buckles’ they reflect a period around the time of the beginning of the 2nd Anglo/Boer War, when it was fashionable for the ladies (spouses) of Officers to wear their husbands insignia (either collar or undress cap badge) on a fairly standard filigree clasp (although there were some variations) and a length of regimental or corps pattern gold lace (as used on some items of uniform), to wrap around wasp-waisted Edwardian evening dresses.

These belts are collectors items in themselves and often appear at auction.  Sadly there are few photos of them in use, as unlike today it was considered vulgar to have commercial photographers at Regimental dinners and other private functions.  See: https://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=9462&p=45969&hilit=Ladies+buckles#p45969

Edited 10 June , 2019 by FROGSMILE

[chrismanning]

I wonder how Fred got hold of them

 

[FROGSMILE]

18 minutes ago, chrismanning said:

I wonder how Fred got hold of them

 

 

I’ve no idea, Chris, but here are some more.  Could he have been an officer’s servant (batman) before he was killed?

 

Edited 10 June , 2019 by FROGSMILE