TOPIC:

The raising of the Commander in Chief's Bodyguard in January 1900 is recorded in detail by Meurig Jones (2016-2024).
Lord Roberts authorised the formation of a personal bodyguard comprising of 40 men from colonial backgrounds and having previous military service and being capable horsemen who could shoot. The enrolment began on 23rd January fronted by Major David Tyrie Laing, a veteran of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and Belingwe Field Force during the war against the Matabele in 1893.
Where the original recruits to the bodyguard were discharged from the unit for whatever reason, a further 12 replacements were recruited giving a total of 52 men who could be regarded as the 'original' bodyguard. Meurig very helpfully lists these men and their parent units, so the researcher can easily check whether a man was indeed an 'original'.

These men were to follow immediately behind Lord Roberts on his triumphant parade into Pretoria to celebrate his victory over the two Boer Republics (a rather premature assumption so it turned out!).

On leaving South Africa after the end of the conventional phase of the war with a heavy heart following the loss of his only son Freddie who was killed in action, Lord Roberts authorised the formation of a full regiment bearing the title of Commander in Chief's Bodyguard in November 1900.
Again Laing was tasked with leading the regiment and recruited around 2000 men in total.

The men of the regiment wore a theatre made brass slouch hat badge and brass 'CC BODYGUARD' shoulder titles. Both of these badges are quite readily available to the modern day collector. But one has to be careful as there is quite a wide variation in price!


Here are examples from my own collection of the two types of brass badge as worn by the regiment. The slouch hat is one of my favourites types from the colonial units.

However, I have recently managed to acquire a non-hallmarked silver version of the badge. I have seen this badge discussed on other forums where their existence was reported and also mentioned an enamelled version. It has been debated whether these silver types were issued to officers as in some other units or were they actually sweetheart badges owing to their pin fastening to the reverse.

Further searches have led me to the Australian War Memorial online where it states that a silver plated bodyguard badge was issued to an Australian 149 Private Charles Cooke who had served with the 2nd Queensland Mounted Infantry Contingent. Cooke was one of the original bodyguard selected as found on Meurig's nominal roll.

Lady luck again favoured me when I found another report of a silver bodyguard badge belonging to Private Edward Bannister Signal who was also an 'original'. Signal's parent unit prior to selection for Bob's bodyguard was the 3rd New Zealand Contingent. This information was found on the website of the New Zealand Government Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

Endorsed with these two examples I suggest that these silver badges would have been awarded to original men of the bodyguard regardless of rank.

Please see the images below and notes for each which raise a few questions.


The silver bodyguard badge which shows quite sharp relief compared to some of the brass version.



Reverse of the badge showing the pin fastening which is still fully functional if a little bit loose!


I wonder if the bodyguard wore the sun helmet as did the imperial troops and Lord Roberts himself? The pin fastener would possibly have been easier to fix to the helmet as opposed to a slouch hat which was generally (perhaps only?) better suited to the use of the lug and clip method of wearing as with other mounted infantry.


Fastening loop on reverse, thankfully still present.


The hinged pin also still working.


The silver bodyguard badge alongside a QSA and Service medal to Lieutenant and Quartermaster Harry Emerton an original bodyguard member who was regimental number 1 Regimental Sergeant Major at the formation of the unit in January 1900 (more on Harry in the near future).

In conclusion for today, it appears that these silver bodyguard badges were issued to the original members, along with an autographed photograph of the CIC himself. Whether they were worn whilst accompanying Lord Roberts around the battlefields or as a parting gift for their service I do not know as written word about this short-lived outfit is a bit thin on the ground.
Maybe a letter home or a newspaper article referring to the award/distribution of these badges is out there somewhere?

As usual I welcome comments/corrections.

REFERENCES
Jones, Meurig (2016-2025): Anglo Boer Wars (website).

Australian War Memorial (website).

New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage: National Army Museum Te Mata Toa (website).