Highland Light Infantry Badge Variations.

[leigh kitchen]

The Highland Light Infantry were formed in 1881 by amalgamation of the 71st (Highland) (Light Infantry) & the 74th (Highlanders).
The 71st contributed the French horn & the 74th the elephant & the scroll "ASSAYE" to the Star of The Order of The Thistle to form the badge of "The Pig & Whistle Light Infantry".

The battle honour "Gibraltar" was awarded somewhat belatedly in 1908, & so the castle of Gibralter does'nt feature on the badge.

The regiments title changed in 1923, having "(City of Glasgow)" added, but not to the badge.

Instead of the usual "big eared" crown the Victorian badge originally incorporated the "flat topped" Victorian Crown, also known to collectors as "the cavalry crown" or the "jubilee crown", which changed with the ascession of King Edward VII to the Kings Crown, which continued in use until the 50's.
In 1958 the regiment amalgamated with the Royal Scots Fusiliers to form The Royal Highland Fusiliers. Thus a Highland regiment merged with a lowland regiment, & as part of the Lowland Brigade (not the Highland Brigade) wore the Brigade badge.

My badges:

Top left is the flat topped Victorian Crown version, replaced by the Kings Crown version circa 1902. K&K 682 refers

Bottom row with the white over red hackle is the Kings Crown version, worn circa 1902 - 50's, perhaps until amalgamation in 1958. K&K 683 refers.

Top centre is the same design, but the ends of the "ASSAYE" scroll turn up slightly. This variation seems to be unnoticed or disregarded by collectors, I've only seen it referred to once - it's noted in Verner, page 6.

Top right is a yellow metal version of the Kings Crown badge, presumably a brass WWI economy 1916 - 19 issue, coated in white metal in order to be used instead of scrapped after WWI. Gaylor page 165 refers.

Second row down left is the WWII silver grey plastic economy issue. K&K 2257 refers.
32,741 were produced between 6/1/44 - 5/9/45, all by "PF". (Militaria Magazine issue 12).

Second row down right is the anodised version of the Kings Crown badge.
K&K 684 refers.

Bottom left is the St Edwards Crown badge of Queen Elizabeth II's reign
KK 2017 refers, as does Bloomer 169. Bloomer states that it was worn 1953 - 59.

Bottom right is the St Edwards Crown anodised version, again K&K 2017 refers.

It isn't apparent whether the anodised Kings Crown or the metal or anodised St Edwards Crown versions were worn by the regular battalion of the regiment.
It's possible that the anodised Kings Crown was'nt issued prior to amalgamation in 1958, then again perhaps it was.
Perhaps the anodised & even the metal St Edwards Crown version was worn only by the Territorial Army elements after the regular battalion was amalgamated.

Missing from my collection is the "Long Scroll" variety of white metal Kings Crown badge, a manufactureres variation well known 5to collectors, in which the "ASSAYE" scroll extends noticably further across the abdge than in the "short scroll" versions.

I saw a WWI brass economy version of the "long scroll" badge for sale at an antique fair in Peterborough in 1988, but do not know if was genuine - perhaps a long scroll version does exist.

The white over red hackle was worn by the 1st Bn, unofficially from 1944 - 48, officially from 1948 - 59.
It was worn pre 1948 by the 2nd Bn, who were disbanded as part of the post-WWII reductions.

[J.von Canon]

71st.Highlanders

The Highland Light Infantry were formed in 1881 by amalgamation of the 71st (Highland) (Light Infantry) & the 74th (Highlanders).
The 71st contributed the French horn & the 74th the elephant & the scroll "ASSAYE" to the Star of The Order of The Thistle to form the badge of "The Pig & Whistle Light Infantry".

The battle honour "Gibraltar" was awarded somewhat belatedly in 1908, & so the castle of Gibralter does'nt feature on the badge.

The regiments title changed in 1923, having "(City of Glasgow)" added, but not to the badge.

Instead of the usual "big eared" crown the Victorian badge originally incorporated the "flat topped" Victorian Crown, also known to collectors as "the cavalry crown" or the "jubilee crown", which changed with the ascession of King Edward VII to the Kings Crown, which continued in use until the 50's.
In 1958 the regiment amalgamated with the Royal Scots Fusiliers to form The Royal Highland Fusiliers. Thus a Highland regiment merged with a lowland regiment, & as part of the Lowland Brigade (not the Highland Brigade) wore the Brigade badge.

My badges:

Top left is the flat topped Victorian Crown version, replaced by the Kings Crown version circa 1902. K&K 682 refers

Bottom row with the white over red hackle is the Kings Crown version, worn circa 1902 - 50's, perhaps until amalgamation in 1958. K&K 683 refers.

Top centre is the same design, but the ends of the "ASSAYE" scroll turn up slightly. This variation seems to be unnoticed or disregarded by collectors, I've only seen it referred to once - it's noted in Verner, page 6.

Top right is a yellow metal version of the Kings Crown badge, presumably a brass WWI economy 1916 - 19 issue, coated in white metal in order to be used instead of scrapped after WWI. Gaylor page 165 refers.

Second row down left is the WWII silver grey plastic economy issue. K&K 2257 refers.
32,741 were produced between 6/1/44 - 5/9/45, all by "PF". (Militaria Magazine issue 12).

Second row down right is the anodised version of the Kings Crown badge.
K&K 684 refers.

Bottom left is the St Edwards Crown badge of Queen Elizabeth II's reign
KK 2017 refers, as does Bloomer 169. Bloomer states that it was worn 1953 - 59.

Bottom right is the St Edwards Crown anodised version, again K&K 2017 refers.

It isn't apparent whether the anodised Kings Crown or the metal or anodised St Edwards Crown versions were worn by the regular battalion of the regiment.
It's possible that the anodised Kings Crown was'nt issued prior to amalgamation in 1958, then again perhaps it was.
Perhaps the anodised & even the metal St Edwards Crown version was worn only by the Territorial Army elements after the regular battalion was amalgamated.

Missing from my collection is the "Long Scroll" variety of white metal Kings Crown badge, a manufactureres variation well known 5to collectors, in which the "ASSAYE" scroll extends noticably further across the abdge than in the "short scroll" versions.

I saw a WWI brass economy version of the "long scroll" badge for sale at an antique fair in Peterborough in 1988, but do not know if was genuine - perhaps a long scroll version does exist.

The white over red hackle was worn by the 1st Bn, unofficially from 1944 - 48, officially from 1948 - 59.
It was worn pre 1948 by the 2nd Bn, who were disbanded as part of the post-WWII reductions.

Have you ever seen the 71st.Bonnet badge (circa 1776-82)?
Some think it a cartouche box badge.
It's really a beautiful brass item with thistles and the (Latin )motto"whatever to be endured"and "no one attacks me with impunity".
This "ancestor"unit of the H.L.I. was probably the toughest outfit in the British Army during the American Revolutionary War.They fought extremely well in just about all the major actions of the Revolutionary War,especially in the Carolinas and Georgia.They,reputedly,were wearing the red hackle before even the better-known Black Watch in the same war.Most were Gaellic speaking and extremely effective,though a recently raised Highland regiment.
(I used to own one of the 71st.bonnet badges and now regret parting with it.)

[leigh kitchen]

No, I've never seen one of those - sounds impressive. I've little knowledge of the pre 1890's insignia, availability, cost etc years ago led me to concentrate on regular infantry Other Ranks insignia about 1892 until about 1994.

By chance Ii picked up an 1874 - 81 glengarry badge of the 71st a few weeks ago - a brass French horn with "71" in the coil - or rather without the numerals as they've been broken off. At least, I think that's what it is, as Kipling & King show the badge with seperately mounted numerals.

I always thought that Percy's regiment, the 5th, were the best regiment in any war - but then I'm biased.

[J.von Canon]

71st.,etc.

No, I've never seen one of those - sounds impressive. I've little knowledge of the pre 1890's insignia, availability, cost etc years ago led me to concentrate on regular infantry Other Ranks insignia about 1892 until about 1994.

By chance Ii picked up an 1874 - 81 glengarry badge of the 71st a few weeks ago - a brass French horn with "71" in the coil - or rather without the numerals as they've been broken off. At least, I think that's what it is, as Kipling & King show the badge with seperately mounted numerals.

I always thought that Percy's regiment, the 5th, were the best regiment in any war - but then I'm biased.

I'm always a little surprised that the 1700's,particularly the Revolutionary War, are not so well known to British collectors.Britain really had some very interesting units here between 1776 and 1782.
I'm getting on in years and this past year donated a Revolutionary War 42nd.Highlanders Black Watch pewter coat button from my collections to the regimental museum,in Perth.It is original and in excellent condition(recovered on Long Island.)
The colonel of the regiment was very happy to get it as they had NO regimental relics of that era.He was nice enough to send me a regimental plaque in thanks.
What I found astounding was that this unit,one of the most famous regiments in the world-had no items from that era.
Do you know the military artist Alan Kemp(Newcastle upon Tyne/Tyne Wear);Alan's done several illustrated books on these British "American War"units.
Best,J.v.C.

[leigh kitchen]

The British don't seem to have too much interest nowadys in those conflicts - it was certainly different 50 - 60 years ago.
I heard a rumour that we may have lost that little unpleasantness called the American Revolution or American War For Independence, or what ever we Brits a're supposed to call it nowadays - perhaps that's why we've "forgotten" it.
I can remember a British squaddie back in the 70's sniffing disdainfully that the Americans had offered to return his regiments old colours captured during the conflict, but the regiment had politely declined the generous offer (one of the light infantry regiments I think).
Pewter buttons - reminds me, I've got about 4 of them & don't know what units they belong to - I'll have to dig them out & post them for identification.
I suspect that there are more British army relics from the period in America than in Britain.
I don't know of Alan Kemp, but then I only have one or two fairly basic books on the period. Now if he was producing work on WWI, I'd probably be buying it.....

[J.von Canon]

The British don't seem to have too much interest nowadys in those conflicts - it was certainly different 50 - 60 years ago.
I heard a rumour that we may have lost that little unpleasantness called the American Revolution or American War For Independence, or what ever we Brits a're supposed to call it nowadays - perhaps that's why we've "forgotten" it.
I can remember a British squaddie back in the 70's sniffing disdainfully that the Americans had offered to return his regiments old colours captured during the conflict, but the regiment had politely declined the generous offer (one of the light infantry regiments I think).
Pewter buttons - reminds me, I've got about 4 of them & don't know what units they belong to - I'll have to dig them out & post them for identification.
I suspect that there are more British army relics from the period in America than in Britain.
I don't know of Alan Kemp, but then I only have one or two fairly basic books on the period. Now if he was producing work on WWI, I'd probably be buying it.....

I may be able to help identify those pewter buttons if you can post them.I recall the 71st.was actually raised around Glasgow,though almost entirely composed of Highlanders who spoke no English.This was just before they came to America.Many units trained around the area of Cork,in Ireland.
Alan Kemp wrote a book on the Battle of Culloden,several books(Almark?/out of print)of the British and American uniforms 1776-82(2 vols.)and a number of prints,etc.involving Napoleonic uniforms.We're good friends and our mutual interests caused us to meet on visits to Britain & America.He's a good 'un.
I hope to see your buttons you mentioned.
Best,J.v.C.

[McCulloh]

what type??

Hmmm...
What type do you think this is? I got it in 1974.

[leigh kitchen]

It's the King's Crown version with short scroll, slightly different to the versions of that badge that I've shown as it's been struck on a different die. The pattern was worn from about 1902 into the 1950's, perhaps still being worn when the regiment was amalgamated in 1958.
The long scroll version is quite distinctive, the scroll almost reaches the sides of the badge & then the swallow tailed sections at the end double back below the ribbon. To my great regret, I have'nt got one to show.

Jim?

[DAZAR]

Hello Leigh, is this the same one as posted above? This came from a US engineer vet, who was D-Day 2. thanks David

[DAZAR]

rear

[sb98]

Here's an odd one I have. It's full size and slightly convex. It's a pin-back and has a small ring at the top. It shows a chrome type finish on the back. It is marked "Made in England". I guess it's some sort of sweetheart piece that could be worn as a pin or on a chain (?).

Tim

[Keith Blakeman]

Leigh and others

Here's the 'long scroll' variant for reference.

Keith

[Keith Blakeman]

....and the 5th,7th & 8th Btns. 'blank scroll'

Keith

[leigh kitchen]

Here's an odd one I have. It's full size and slightly convex. It's a pin-back and has a small ring at the top. It shows a chrome type finish on the back. It is marked "Made in England". I guess it's some sort of sweetheart piece that could be worn as a pin or on a chain (?).

Tim

Possibly a form of plated plaid brooch?

[leigh kitchen]

Leigh and others

Here's the 'long scroll' variant for reference.

Keith

Still waiting to get my hands on one of these..............