coldstream

Gentlemen, Spent a very pleaseant weeked in Norfolk, England recently and had the opportunity to visit the 7th Armoured Division 'Desert Rats' Memorial located in Thetford Forest. This takes the form of restored Cromwell tank mounted on a plinth.

I am not often one to comment on individual collections here on the forum but I have to congratulate you on another superb collection and some of the best methods of display I have ever seen in any collection, be it private or public. Quite simply stunning.

Gentlemen, going back to he mystery crowwn badge in post 23. Take a look at the photo in Ulstermans 'Greek Lt Colonel' thread in the Southern Europe and Balkans section. Looks very similar to the crown on the Officers cap?

Uwe. Never seen anything like this crown. very interesting. Can you remember where it came from as a starter clue to its ID. Hopefully Leigh will have some idea. :cheers:

Believe this one came from the QVR so am guessing the rifles colours would have been used, thanks Leigh.

I'm not sure what members think but I wondered if we should start showing these badges in wear, it would allow us to show irregularities and oddities aswell as standard issue. To start here is a Queensman with brass signallers flags and brass crossed rifles.

Leigh Would the RASC have worn the black on red driver badge or would units have adopted colours to suit their regiment or corps?

Just an observation but the cap being worn is unusual, Is that a slashed peak ala the Guards style or a different country's cap altogether. To my mind the cap crown looks oversized for British or Irish and the chin strap also does'nt sit right with me. Has he picked up his cap from somewhere else?

A heavily mothed example this time with crown.

Two examples of what I understand to be a drivers badge, the first in red and black.

As i recall Leigh we did'nt wear crossed rifles even after passing the SAA instructors course. The set given to me were the small white rifles as you mention and until now I had'nt even considered that they may be the standard sized set. I guess I just got used to those big Guards badges. When I completed my Brecon course the Army were supplying the 'Bayonet' course completion badge for that and again I'm sure that we were not allowed to wear it. Glen J can you refresh my memory, it all seems so long ago :whistle:

Hugo Is there anything written on the reverse or is there studio makers name or mark? Excellent photo by the way.

Talking of the crossed rifles badge, I was given a set for gaining a distinguished pass in the Infantry Skill at Arms Instructors course at Aldershot which were of identical pattern to the standard issue but about three quarter size. They were to be worn above the Sergeants chevrons, however on returning to Battalion I was informed in no uncertain terms that they were not worn in The Coldstream Guards and were consigned to a drawer and now sadly lost. :speechless1:

The final one, this badge is not positively identified but if we assume a natural progression its fair to say that this could be best shot in a Regiment? Any ideas Gentlemen.

This one is again identified by Westlake, this time as best shot in a Battalion.

A further three to add, this one is identified by Ray Westlake as best shot in a Company.

Lastly for now, LG with crown :cheers:

This is one I don't know, so any ideas please Gentlemen.

A variation 'MG' badge with star. I believe the star dentoes territorial battalion. Leigh?

Next 'MG' machine gunners badge.

Here are some examples which were amongst my girlfriends Grandfathers belongings. He served before and during World War2 in the Queen Victoria Rifles, which I believe was a Territorial motorcycle unit which took part in the defence of Calais. He was captured there and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner. After the war he was commisioned into the Royal West Kents and collected many military items. I believe that these badges relate to his time in the QVR although this may not be correct. Firstly crossed rifles marksmanship badge.

Gordon This may be way off the mark but the shape of the gorget shown reminds me of the type used by the Quisling era forces of Norway. Particularly the distinctive pointed bottom and rounded upper sections. If you look at the photograph of the Norwegion AT Labour Service Officer on page 34 of David Littlejohns 'Foreign Legions of the Third Reich' volume one you will see a similar shaped gorget in wear albeit with Norwegion badge. (Unsure if copyright allows me to scan and post this picture?) Not suggesting that this is the same gorget in any way but certainly similar in shape.

A good thought Leigh, although should'nt he have a victory aswell. Straying back to the subject of wearing bearskin caps with barrack dress, prior to every Royal Palace Guard mount a check parade would be carried out wearing barrack dress and bearskin's. One of the main reasons for this was to allow for the correct sizing of the Guard as the bearskins can vary in height slightly and so the tallest man on parade may not end up as the right hand man and so on :cheers:

Many thanks for that Peter, it's interesting to see that the collar and cuff material is of ribbed or woven construction as opposed to a velvet type cloth I would normally associate with a mess dress.

Peter Lovely example of the RUC mess dress which I have never seen before. Can you tell me are the collar facings in the same RUC green as the tunics or is it black? As we know colours can appear distorted on screen :cheers: