rusticalex

Thanks guys...cracking debate on which way up it should be, and now I am home I can confirm, with it in hand, just how right Jeff is, and how naive I was to photograph it the wrong way up!! Not that I mind...I'm learning all the time, so thanks for all the education! What a fascinating subject this is. It is great that I'm now starting to fit some of my items (although not this holder yet) to particular relatives. What I want to do is create a post for each relative with the items that belonged to him and other info, just to share on here. I'm not quite sure where I should put such posts, but I'll figure it out, I'm sure! Thanks again. Alex

I'm really showing my lack of knowledge here! I can tell that this comes from headgear of some kind, but I'm not sure what it is called. Also, please can you help identify the regiment it belonged to, the age, and any other info. Many thanks Alex

For once I have identified an item myself...I must be improving! However, if anyone has any idea of age of this item, I'd appreciate any pointers. Also, is it rare, and what sort of value might it have? Thank you. Alex

Hi Mel Thanks for the welcome. I have to say that it is the likes of this site and the people on it that makes a hobby like this so worthwhile. The fact that there is a ready source of willing support out there is fantastic, and I just can not wait to get myself organised and start finding out more and more about the stuff I have - very exciting! The only problem is time - there just isn't enough!! Cheers Alex

Thank you very much for all that information...terrific. And your valuation has surprised me. But you are right, I am not selling it, or the others, as I've decided that I need to keep these items, and the others I've got, in the family. What I'm going to embark upon is creating a database of the items, and attach all the info I can gather about each item, based on what I can find out from the records we have and the advice I can get on here (I've just subscribed to show some commitment!!). So, thanks again...I'm feeling rather inspired, and suddenly finding out all sorts, which I'll gladly share on here. Alex

Jeff, that is one big book, no doubt! Does this book give names of men who served in the regiment? If so, I'm wondering if I should get hold of one, although I imagine they come at a price!! Either way, I will hold on to the badge, and find out who in my family may have worn it, if I can. Alex

Thanks for that Jeff. I've looked up the RUSI museum, and see that it closed in 1963, so goodness knows where the badge in your book is now! You've shed a lot of light on to this badge for me, so thank you very much. In terms of value, is it possible to estimate, or are rare items like this too difficult to guess at? Alex

Thanks Jeff...fantastic information, and lovely to hear that it is so rare. I have recently changed heart about selling any of the collection that my family has, mainly because many of the items were worn by one member of the family or another. Once they are gone they are gone, and whilst I know that good money could be fetched (and I have a few other things to share on here, some pretty special), ultimately they should stay within the family. Sorry, but I can not enlarge your attachment, although I'd be intrigued to see it. I am pretty confused as to why we have this in our possession - we are very lucky to have our family's history well documented, but at the period you mention I can not see that any of my ancestors were involved with the Royal Scots - they had plenty of involvement with other regiments, including Scottish regiments, but none with the Royal Scots, unless I am missing something. Oh well, I'll keep looking! Of course, it may not have belonged originally to one of my family! Thanks also Leigh - badge is about 2" across, with, I think, gilt brass with silver plate rays, as you say. Alex

I've found out some stuff: History of the JDF The Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) was formed just a few days prior to Jamaica becoming a sovereign independent State within the Commonwealth of Nations. Although the Force itself is still young, it has a long history of descent and traditions stemming from units raised in the West Indies since the mid-seventeenth century. Early Origins Its original predecessor was the ancient Jamaica Militia of 1662, the immediate successor to Oliver Cromwell’s troops which had taken Jamaica from the Spaniards a mere seven years earlier. In 1694, in the only invasion of Jamaica other than the English one of 1655, the French landed a force of over 1,400 men at Carlisle Bay in southern Clarendon. Here they were met by militiamen, initially only some 250, who alone – without support from any naval or regular army units – repulsed the French with about 100 men killed or wounded. Estimates of the French losses were between 150 and 350. The various cavalry and infantry regiments of the Jamaica Militia remained on call, at first for fear of further French attacks, although after Carlisle Bay there were none. Therefore, those early part-time soldiers spent most of their time in uniform in an internal security role, which largely meant dealing with slave disturbances. Later, however, with justified fear of Napoleonic incursions, the Militia reached its maximum strength at the beginning of the nineteenth century, with 10,000 infantry and 1,000 cavalry divided between three regiments of horse, one for each county, and 18 regiments of foot, one for each of the then 18 parishes of Jamaica – and commanded at one time by no less than four Major Generals. In 1906, at a time of established international peace, and after nearly two and a half centuries of existence, the Jamaica Militia was finally disbanded. Some of its members formed themselves into the semi-official St Andrew Rifle Corps and when war came to the world in 1914 its members were re-embodied as the Kingston Infantry Volunteers. At the start of World War II in 1939 these part-time soldiers were renamed, this time as the Jamaica Infantry Volunteers (JIV). Towards the end of the war, in 1944, in recognition of its then unit status the JIV was retitled ‘The Jamaica Battalion’, and finally eleven years later – ‘The Jamaica Regiment’. So I know this badge is at least 103 years old, and possibly quite rare. Any more info would be much appreciated!

and the reverse...

I know this comes from one of the Scottish regiments, but I can not work out which one, and although I've seen many similar badges, I haven't seen one exactly the same. Please help me identify it. Thank you!

and the back...

Again, apologies for my complete lack of knowledge...any pointers as to regiment, age, and any other information? Thanks.

and from the back...

From wikipedia - "The 104th Regiment of Foot (Bengal Fusiliers) was an infantry regiment of the British Army from 1862 to 1881, when it was amalgamated into The Royal Munster Fusiliers. The regiment was originally formed by the Honourable East India Company in 1854 as the 2nd Bengal (European) Light Infantry, and served in the Indian Mutiny of 1857. As with all other "European" units of the Company, they were placed under the command of the Crown in 1858, and formally moved into the British Army in 1862, ranked as the 104th Foot. As part of the Childers Reforms in 1881, the regiment was amalgamated with the 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers) to form The Royal Munster Fusiliers." I'm not sure which part of the uniform this would have been worn on, but I really like this piece. Unfortunately one of the 'pins' that holds the centre piece in place has broken off, so the centre piece is loose - should I try to fix it, or ask someone with militaria expertise to do so? What value might this item have? Thank you.

and the back...

Hi...I'm very new to militaria, but I have a nice little collection via my family, so will be calling on your knowledge a fair bit! This badge is just over 6 inches by just over 4 inches - please can you shed light on the regiment, age, where it would have been worn, and whether it has any value? Thank you.

And the reverse...

Hi all My first post, so greetings to all. I have a reasonable collection of badges, buttons, bullion, via my family, many of which I know nothing or little about, so hopefully I'll be busy discovering more about this collection with your help! The first thing that intrigues me is a Jamaica Militia badge, as per photo. I would like to know more about this regiment, including dates, and exactly where the badge might have been worn. Also, a rough valuation would be appreciated. I can not post in the guests' section, and it won't let me post in the members only valuation section, so I hope this is the right place!! Sorry admin if it is not! Thanks Alex