It is my understanding that the troops wore 'helmets wrapped in khaki coloured' on their heads. I don't recall seeing a photo showing a badge on these. A badge flashing in the sun would have made an excellent target for the Boers. Bryan Slim >Forwarded message from non-subscriber.. . >Reply to me and I'll pass the word along. >Nelson Denton > >************************ > >Hi, I have what I assume is a Boer War cap badge possibly from a cavalry >regiment. It is in the shape of a horse shoe with 'So Africa 1900' inscribed >on it.There is a crown with flags and a skull and crossbones within the area >of the horseshoe.Inscribed below the crossbones ' 17' 'Or Glory' > >Do you know which regiment this came from? > >I would be grateful if you could help me to identify this . Many thanks > >Derry Nolan > >********************** > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.483 / Virus Database: 279 - Release Date: 20-May-03 > > >==== BOER-WAR Mailing List ==== >Have you used Tree Tops? >The Free FAMILY TREE & WE'LL MEET AGAIN SERVICE >http://freespace.virgin.net/tree.tops > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy >records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

So when did the practice of painting black -----badges, buttons, and all 'brass'fittings - --when in battle conditions start , please, I presume to cut the reflection from snipers sites ? My husband says that when he did National Service in the 50's-- they used WW11 uniforms , which all had black painted brass buttons..... -----Original Message----- From: Bryan SLIM [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 25 May 2003 03:23 To: [email protected] Subject: [BOER-WAR] Cap badge or helmets? It is my understanding that the troops wore 'helmets wrapped in khaki coloured' on their heads. I don't recall seeing a photo showing a badge on these. A badge flashing in the sun would have made an excellent target for the Boers. Bryan Slim >Forwarded message from non-subscriber.. . >Reply to me and I'll pass the word along. >Nelson Denton > >************************ > >Hi, I have what I assume is a Boer War cap badge possibly from a >cavalry regiment. It is in the shape of a horse shoe with 'So Africa >1900' inscribed on it.There is a crown with flags and a skull and >crossbones within the area of the horseshoe.Inscribed below the >crossbones ' 17' 'Or Glory' > >Do you know which regiment this came from? > >I would be grateful if you could help me to identify this . Many thanks > >Derry Nolan > >********************** > > >--- >Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. >Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). >Version: 6.0.483 / Virus Database: 279 - Release Date: 20-May-03 > > >==== BOER-WAR Mailing List ==== >Have you used Tree Tops? >The Free FAMILY TREE & WE'LL MEET AGAIN SERVICE >http://freespace.virgin.net/tree.tops > >============================== >To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy >records, go to: >http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237 ==== BOER-WAR Mailing List ==== C J Genealogical Collections Web Page http://freespace.virgin.net/genealogical.collections ============================== To join Ancestry.com and access our 1.2 billion online genealogy records, go to: http://www.ancestry.com/rd/redir.asp?targetid=571&sourceid=1237

Dull Khaki Uniforms without decorations: Thomas Pakenham in "The Boer War" (Ch 12) mentions the Gordon Highlanders at Ladysmith camp before the battle of Elandslaagte, 21 October 1899. They had just arrived from India and were preparing to meet the Boer on the veld: "There were kilts to be patched and mended, khaki covers to be sewn over the hairy black and white sporrans, and the usual mixture of brown paint and cow-dung to be painted over the white webbing ..... their Highland dress was half-hidden by all the battle equipment: twin cartridge pouches on the chest, balancing, under the criss-crossed webbing, the neatly rolled greatcoat, and the water-bottle; Lee Metford rifle; bulging haversack, a hundred extra rounds, field dressings and the rest." But "despite those attempts to camouflage themselves with khaki and cow-dung, the Highlanders were natural targets. Their dark green kilts stood out against the grey-brown veld; and the bulls-eye, so to speak, was the place where the black and white sporran hung below the Highlander's belt." (ouch!) Later at the Orange River four of the six casualties of a reconnaissance patrol were officers (Ch 16). "Those gleaming insignia, the stars and buttons and buckles of the professional soldier, were all very well in the drawing-room. In the sunshine of the veldt they blazed like a heliograph." Buller told Methuen to follow Symond's example in Natal and make the officers dress like the men. Barbara Tuchman in "August 1914" (Ch 3 page 47) mentions that while the British had adopted khaki and the Germans were about to change from Prussian Blue to field-grey the French were still wearing blue coats with red kepi and trousers despite Messimy's attempt after seeing the Balkan front in 1912 to change uniforms to a dull colour: grey-blue or grey-green. Yours, John Wilson (Wellington, New Zealand) > So when did the practice of painting black -----badges, buttons, and all > 'brass'fittings - > > --when in battle conditions start , please, I presume to cut the > reflection from snipers sites ? > > My husband says that when he did National Service in the 50's-- they > used WW11 uniforms, which all had black painted brass buttons..... > > June Adderley