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| THE
ROYAL GLOUCESTERSHIRE, BERKSHIRE and WILTSHIRE REGIMENT |
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(28th, 49th, 61st, 62nd, 66th and 99th
Foot) |
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| Regimental
Insignia |
| All
British Infantry Regiments identify themselves through the insignia worn
by the soldiers of the Regiment. Insignia includes the Regimental Cap and headdress
badges, Collar dogs, Buttons, buckles, stable belts and various arm
badges. Many of these visible signs of a Regiments past are also
included on the drums and other Battalion signs. The Royal Gloucestershire,
Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment took their insignia from their forming
Regiments,
The Gloucestershire Regiment (28th/61st)
The
Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment
(Berkshire and Wiltshire)(49th/62nd/66th/99th).
The Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment in turn took theirs from
the Royal Berkshire Regiment and the Wiltshire Regiment when amalgamated
in 1959.
The aim of this section is to show the insignia of
this Regiment with reasons behind the use of that device. Officer badges
are exactly the same but in either higher grade metal or cloth |
| The
Regimental Cap Badge |
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The example shown above was taken into use
on the formation of the Regiment in 1994. The Badge at that time measured
40cm x 40cm (It has since been reduced in size) with its heraldic description shown as :
"On a square of crimson a cross
pattee throughout silver, charged with a sphinx couchant upon a pedestal
inscribed 'Egypt', all gold"
The front cap badge is made up of three
parts 'The Brandywine Flash' the backing to the badge, the 'Cross Pattee'
and 'The Sphinx' The reasons for adoption are as follows :- |
| THE
BRANDYWINE FLASH |
| The Red backing to the
Badge is referred to as 'The Brandywine flash' and was previously worn by
the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment who inherited it from the Royal
Berkshire Regiment. It was awarded to the Regiment for the actions of the
Light Company of the 49th of Foot who took part in a night attack at a
location called PAOLI. The battle was fought on the 20th September 1777
during the American War of Independence. The tactic of assaulting by night
without prior warning was frowned upon and the Americans made it clear
that no quarter would henceforth be given. The units that took part (It is
said) declared to the Americans that they would identify themselves by
dying their hackles red as an indication of their participation in the
battle. Many years later the Royal Berkshire Regiment applied for the privilege
of wearing 'The Brandywine flash' to commemorate the action. It is still
worn today. |
| THE CROSS
PATTEE |
| The cross Pattee
originated from the 62nd of foot, later the Wiltshire Regiment and was
worn by the Duke of Edinburgh's Royal Regiment as part of their cap badge.
It came about in the early nineteenth century, when regiments were allowed
to incorporate in their shako plates some form of regimental crest, the
62nd, in company with eleven other regiments, adopted the Maltese cross.
The 62nd were in Sicily in 1806. The cross is the design of the Order of
the knights of Malta, whose chief seat had been established in Catamea in Sicily
in 1800. The Maltese cross, whose eight points symbolize the eight
beatitudes of St Matthews gospel, was not retained as a badge by all its original
wearers, but the 62nd kept it.
By 1828 regimental badges had become official and the
62nd Regiment of foot's badge was shown as a Maltese cross within an eight
pointed star. Later the shape and the name was changed to a cross pattee.
This shape has been worn since that time and is worn today. |
| THE SPHINX |
| The Sphinx on a
tablet inscribed 'Egypt' forms the centre of the cap badge. This was awarded
to the Gloucestershire Regiment for its actions in the Campaign of 1801.
It was at the Battle of Alexandria where the 28th of Foot fought 'Back' to
'Back' and as a result the Regiment was given the privilege of wearing a Back badge
(See below) which also contains a sphinx. The Sphinx was worn by the
Gloucestershire Regiment up to the amalgamation in 1994, and was carried
over to the RGBW For a fuller explanation of the Campaign go to
'Battle Honours. |
| EXAMPLES |
| No 1
Dress Cap |
Beret |
|
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| THE
BACK BADGE |
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| The
'Back Badge' was brought to the Regiment by the Gloucestershire Regiment.
Various versions were worn by the Gloucestershire Regiment over the years.
The last version worn by the 1st Battalion was silver in colour, but on
amalgamation they reverted to the traditional yellow metal colour
("Brass before and Brass behind")
The back badge is
unique in the British Army and was awarded to the 28th of Foot for their
actions at the battle of Alexandria in 1801 (See Battle Honours) |
| Examples
of Back Badge |
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| No 1
Dress Cap |
Drum
Major |
United
Nations |
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COLLAR DOGS |
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The RGBW Collar badges, referred
to as 'Collar dogs' are identical to the cap badge, apart from the fact
that they are inward facing when worn. |
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|
Examples of Collar dogs |
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| Collar
dogs worn in the mess dress of the RGBW |
Worn
in No 1 Dress |
|
SHOULDER TITLE |
|
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| The
RGBW Shoulder title, worn on a black background. |
|
Examples of Shoulder Titles |
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| As worn
by Other ranks in the RGBW |
As worn
by officers in the RGBW |
| The
RGBW Regimental Belt |
|
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| The belt
buckle came from the Gloucestershire Regiment, with the keeper being
altered to read "RGBW" |
| EXAMPLES
OF REGIMENTAL BELT |
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| Worn in
No1 Dress |
Worn in
Barrack dress (Denims) |
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Regimental Stable belt |
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| The RGBW Stable belt is buff with a thin red stripe with a black line traditionally
worn by the Gloucestershire Regiment in mourning for General Wolfe, who
died in front of the 28th of Foot at Quebec in 1759. The colour Buff was
used in all the forming Regiments. |
| This
page is still under construction, some of the images used are not as good
as they could be and will be replaced in the passage of time when better
ones become available. Future plans on this page will include insignia as
worn by the officers, drums and in different types of overseas dress. Any
mistakes in the above descriptions are the sole fault of 'Mac' the Website
Historian. Any comments please E Mail me. |
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