We at Military Heritage are pleased to offer a free cap badge recognition service. Our expertise is generally in British First World War cap badges, but we will take a look at anything and do our very best to guide you in the right direction.
This was just one of the enquiries received today; a badge dug up in the enquirers back garden!
Mystery badge?
Whilst not strictly a military badge this could have connections to the army. The CLB gave the mystery away immediately – it is the badge of the Church Lads Brigade.
The Church Lads Brigade was founded in 1891 by Walter Mallock Gee and was proposed as a way of encouraging young lads to stay connected to the church after they reached the age of thirteen and started work. Various other similar groups were started for both boys and girls and they became known collectively as the Brigade Movement.
In 1911 the Church Lads Brigade, which placed emphasis on discipline, drill and uniform, become recognised by the War Office and became part of the Territorial Cadet Force. Youngests frequently drilled with rifles and undertook military style exercises. Two years later the CLB adopted khaki service dress uniform as standard.
When the call to arms came in the summer of 1914 past and serving members of the Church Lads Brigade were keen to do their bit. On 19th September 1914 the 16th (Service) Battalion (Church Lads Brigade) of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps was raised by Field Marshal Lord Grenfell at Denham in Buckinghamshire. The Battalion trained and served in England by providing guard duties at reservoirs and railway bridges etc. until being sent to France the following year, landing at Le Havre on 17th November 1915. The Battalion suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of the Somme in 1916 but remained in France and took part in further actions until the armistice.
During the Great War the Church Lads Battalion used the distinctive blackened brass cap badge of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. A similar, smaller bronze badge carrying the motto “Fight the Good Fight” was used by the Church Lads Brigade cadets.
King's Royal Rifle Corps cap badge cards from Military Heritage
What a fascinating find! I would like to say thanks to Steven for letting me share this with you and giving me permission to use his photo.
Tags: British Army regiments, cap badge recognition service, cap badges, Church Lads Brigade, King's Royal Rifle Corps
