British Raj Oudtshoorn Volunteer Rifles Badge

[Mervyn Mitton]

                                                         http://gmic.co.uk/uploads/monthly_01_2015/post-6209-0-35525100-1422270535.jpgclick

 

 

This post on   The Oudtshoorn  Volunteer Rifles was posted on 15 January by  militarybadge.  Unfortunately,

he posted as a Blog and although he has had 78 views there has been no answer.   There is no easy way

to transfer a Blog post to the standard forums - hence a photo  -  and you will need to enlarge.

[Mervyn Mitton]

Thankyou  militarybadge  -  welcome to GMIC  -  and I apologise for this change.  We just felt it was lost on the Blog.

 

Oudtshoorn is a lovely small town in the Eastern Cape  -  on a map it is inland to the left of Port Elizabeth.  The area has

always been famous for Ostrich rearing and it was the centre for many years.   

 

The Oudtshoorn Volunteer Rifles were formed in 1890 and were originally 'G' Company of the Western Province Rifles.

In 1897 they served in the Langberg Campaign .   1904 saw them presented with a King's Colour and by 1908 they were

two Companies strong.    For the Coronation of King George 5th, they were honoured by having their Band and a contingent

of troops sent to take part in the Coronation ceremonies.   They were disbanded in 1913.

 

From 1891 they wore Line Uniform  -  with white helmet and shoulder straps.  For field dress they wore khaki and a slouch

hat.    The Badge  -  shown above was the Arms of the Cape  -  with the motto  'Spes Bona'.

 

My ref. has been Major Tylden's - The Armed Forces of South Africa.           Mervyn

[militarybadge]

Thank you for the info . I eventually found an example sold on auction by Stephen Welz in South Africa for R2,200.

The badge has a new owner and sold for R1500 on Bidorbuy.

A rare find indeed.

Unfortunately "He" posted as a blog.I am a 64 year old lady who has been in the collectors business for 30 years.

I also came across a very rare tin recently which was probably used for collecting money for the troops families.It is also a rare piece of Africana as it has both languages printed on the tin.
it sold for R1015. I have not been able to find another example on the nethttp://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/173018416/A_RARE_WORLD_WAR_TIN_In_English_and_Africans_Unable_to_find_another

[Mervyn Mitton]

Nice to hear from you and any further queries please put them on the correct forum  -  this will give quicker answers.    Mervyn

[gam47]

My updated entry for Geoffrey Tylden's, is :

No (was No 402) OUDTSHOORN VOLUNTEER RIFLES (OVR), or Oudtshoorn Volunteer Rifle Corps. Originally G Company of No Western Rifles, a Western Cape volunteer corps stoodup 15th February, 1890, following efforts by J.Bawden and A.S.Hadfield recruiting some 40 volunteers, CO Captain C.M.Lind. 1897 Bechuanaland Campaign, Cape of Good Hope General Service Medal 42 clasp Bechuanaland. South African War, QSA Medal named “Oudtshoorn V. Rfs.” or “Oudtshoorn V. R.”. In 1904 the Duke of York presented the King's Banner, at Oudsthoorn.

1908 two companies strong with a band; a contingent dressed in scarlet to London for the 1911 Coronation. In 1913 amalgamated into No Prince Alfred's Guard. From 1891 wore khaki uniform with a white helmet, full title on shoulder straps, and the slouch hat for the field. From 1903 full dress khaki with the Wolseley helmet. Badge, the Arms of the Cape, motto “Spes Bona”, “Good Hope”.

NOTE : The Drill Hall of the OVR at appropriately No 8 Camp Street, the foundation stone was laid by Cecil John Rhodes 8th September, 1892, and completed that year, in sandstone at a cost of £3,500. In 2010 still a magnificent building, the Dutch Reformed Church Hall.