Swagger stick question...

[Andrew Upton]

I know it's not strictly a WW1 question, but it's been puzzling me all the same.

I recently acquired a swagger stick with a silver head, hallmarked to London 1900 (and an unusual makers mark - looks like J²K with the 2 lower down, which I haven't been able to identify).

The silver head has "77" engraved on the top, and the label attached to it said this was the Middlesex Regiment. A brief Google search (see below) suggests this is correct, and the 77th Foot were indeed part of the Middlesex Regiment:

http://www.regiments.org/regiments/uk/inf/077-787.htm

However, it also seems to suggest that the 77th ceased to exist in 1881 when they were amalgamated under the Cardwell Reforms.

So my question is, why would the head be engraved with the 77 some 19 years after they had ceased to exist??? Was this an old soldier sticking to regimental tradition? Or is this to another regiment or ???

Thanks in advance.

[gnr.ktrha]

Hello,

Many units, after 1881 continued to use there Old number on various items of kit. In some units, for example the Highland light Infantry, in stead of referring to the 1st or 2nd Battalions, they were known as the 74th etc. This was long after they had officially become the Highland light Infantry. In the 1st Battalin the Black Watch, the sergeants, right up to at least the late 1920's wore a badge with there old number in the middle '42'. Also a large proportion of there sproting medals have their old number on them.

I have an example of a 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry Band Banner. I undestand this dates from the 1920's. In the centre of the bugle is the number '68' rather than the letters DLI.

As you can see, this was a wide spread practice.

Hope this helps a bit.

Regards,

Stewart

[delta]

I would not be surpised if the 2nd Bn The Yorkshire Regt continues to use "XIX" as a reference to its previous existence as the 19th of foot; it certainly was used by the Green Howards

Stephen

[BeppoSapone]

I would imagine that the stick was owned by a member of the 2nd Middlesex, and that the pre 1881 tradition endured in the unit. In 1900 there would still have been long serving soldier who had joined the 77th Foot.

By WW2 the 1st Middlesex were sometimes nicknamed "Heinz Baked Beans" - 57th Foot - 57 varieties!

[Andrew Upton]

Thanks for the replies - they fit in with the lines I was thinking along. I was more worried somone would say that the 77 stood for something else!

[Guest geoff501]

By WW2 the 1st Middlesex were sometimes nicknamed "Heinz Baked Beans" - 57th Foot - 57 varieties!

Really? I'd heard they were known as the Windy 57th. (but sure they were all brave men)