TOPIC:

Gentlemen,
Recently, on a routine search of a popular search engine, IL came across the site of the British and Commonwealth Military Badge Forum and - viewing their page of British ABW shoulder titles- saw something that rolled back the years to his very commencement of interest in the QSA and the South African campaign. Without further ado, and acknowledging the source with thanks, here is the enlarged pic of what was seen.


IL had then just purchased nis first QSA from a local dealer (single bar "Talana" to 18H - long since gone) and somehow the conversation turned to the subject of shoulder titles. Out came the dealer's personal collection of same and he picked out a two-lugged, brass shoulder title of the Australian Commonwealth Horse (ACH), with the initials surmounted by a brass ring. Memory has it as identical to the above pic.
A query about the "O" was answered that its purpose was a bit of a puzzle. It had long been discussed by collectors of the time and the best guess anyone had come up with was that the "O" was an attachment point for streamers of different colours or types to indicate a sub-formation's identity or as an aid to detect a possible enemy.
This writer later discovered that a recurring theme in British accounts of the ABW guerrilla phase was the deliberate enemy use of British khaki uniforms, field formations and the like for purposes of deception. Of course, any guerrilla force denied exterior supply has to avail itself of captured "bounty" - the term "bounty" here encompasses firearms, ammunition, food, medical supplies and most controversially of all, uniforms.
This has to be accepted by the Government forces. Should such equipment or attire be found on the person of a surrendered or captured Boer, retaliation might not be taken (especially if an officer was near). After all, the captive could plead "necessity". However, the finding of illegal (soft point) ammunition or the flouting of white flag/surrender conventions would be another matter.
Even today, "Blue-on-blue" (so called "friendly fire") incidents do occur. Imagine how much more difficult it must have been in the days when field wirelesses did not exist, when heliographs could be used to mislead - and when the enemy spoke English, frequently wore British khaki and was then outwardly indistinguishable from one's own side until lit was too late.
A Scenario might have been: Skirmishing Trooper IL on a lathered steed approaches Column Commander Colonel Biggins and reports"unknown force approaching, Sir!". With aplomb, the good Colonel scans the approaching riders with his binoculars, consults his pocket diary, eases his Mauser automatic pistol back in its holster and assures Trooper IL of the imminent arrival of Hendy's Light Horse. Or, alternatively, barks the order "Dismount, sights at six hundred yards, section volleys on my command". You get the picture.
To summarise a probably over-long post, given the breadth of knowledge and experience of Forum members, has anyone a better explanation why an apparently utilitarian shoulder title should have a ring at 12 o'clock? And to anticipate the inevitable question, NO - IL never did get his hands on the now long-deceased dealer's collection of shoulder titles. He trudges on. |
Regards to all
IL.

Hello Ian,
The loop would be for the Slouch hat ring.
Regards Frank

Frank
Well, possibly. The ACH already had a slouch hat badge before going into the field (an early version of the Rising Sun badge) and the original shoulder titles were "AC". Have you ever noted what you refer to as a "slouch hat ring" (part of the attachment for turning up the snap brim) on any other title?
Regards
IL.

Yes, I have.

Frank
It would be nice to know what the badge was - South African Colonial or ...?
Regards
IL.