Identify Cap Adornment and Lanyard

[Dave P]

Does anyone know what the Union flag adornment on the cap and, the lanyard over the left shoulder signify?

The cap badge is East Yorkshire and the photo was taken 1917-1919

[Michelle Young]

Welcome to the forum. The lanyard would be to hold a clasp knife. The adornment might be for an anniversary of one of their battle honours? 

[FROGSMILE]

It looks to me like a ‘recruiting favour’.  These were twisted red white and blue ribbons traditionally worn in headress by men engaged temporarily in recruiting duties.  They went back two centuries or more and I’ve always thought it sad that the practice died out between the two World Wars (probably because it became associated in the public consciousness with wartime slaughter).

Traditionally recruiting parties of just a handful of men were headed up by a sergeant and whenever possible included a drummer, although these latter became rarer during the war.  One or two younger men were always included as being closer in age and temperament to the traditional recruit age group.  The ribbons and often a rosette on the side were worn by all in the party as a unifying emblem.

 

 

Edited 24 November , 2023 by FROGSMILE