West India Regiment officer's Glengarry badge, British Empire (c 1890)

Title	West India Regiment officer's Glengarry badge
Nationality	British Empire
Period	c 1890

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In 1900, there were three battalions of the West India Regiment, originally raised in 1795. In the 19th century, they served with great distinction, particularly in helping suppress the slave trade in West Africa and, furthermore, in WW2 served in Burma. They were the Empire's first black troops to serve overseas (ie not only in the WI but beyond).

This relatively uncommon badge, with the silver device 'WI' for West Indies, is likely to be Victorian as opposed to any later because the back clearly demonstrates mercury gilding (ie by being plain bronze). It was worn on the field service cap (like an overseas cap).

The enamel and gilding is in virtually perfect condition. The badge has its original steel pin to the reverse. However, it has one small fault: one of the three copper claw securing the enamel ribbon device in place on the back is missing.

(To photograph this carefully, I supported it on a British copper penny!)

If you want to comment on this item—re quality, age, etc—please email me.

[Militaria : Badges : British Empire : 19th Century]

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