Forage Cap Badge 1898-1921



The ancient badge of the regiment is the Paschal Lamb. This symbol originates from the Bible. The Hebrews were commanded by God to sacrifice an unblemished lamb in the Spring and this became associated with the festival of Passover (Pesach). The early Christians learned from St Paul that Jesus was the sacraficial Lamb of God and it is this image that has evolved, the Lamb with a halo and carrying a white banner with a red cross.

Parkyn's book says: 'Regimental tradition associates the badge and the old sea green facings of the regiment with Catherine of Braganza, the consort of Charles II. But neither Burke nor other heraldic authorities show any connection between the badge and the Royal armories and insignia of Portugal. Macaulay has suggested that the badge was adopted as appropriate to a regiment going to fight in Tangiers against 'infidels'.

'The lamb as originally displayed was not a 'Paschal' one, nor had it any banner, and is shown on the Carlisle figures as having a bushy tail. The Colours of 1751 depicted 3 lambs on a green ground. In the Regulations for Clothing and Colours 1747 it is referred to as 'a Lamb being their ancient badge'.

The bimetal badge shown here was illustrated in the 1900 Dress Regulations. It was worn on undress forage caps from 1898, and khaki forage caps in World War 1. In 1924 a gilding metal badge was worn that showed a bolder looking lamb on a plain ground without the scroll.



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