Hi my co main focus is collecting WW1 CANADIAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE insignia and now have one of the finest known collections consisting of hat badges collars shoulders and even sweetheart pins. The collection numbers in the 3-4 thousand piece area and from time to time a piece gets added and room in the tray has to be made.As a side I also have trench art and veterans armbands and badges.

Paul

cap badge for the 116th battn the highest numbered battn in the field during WW1 Uxbridge Ontario

cap badge for the 4th battn part of the 1st div formed in Ontario

cap badge to the 1st battn 1st div formed in Ontario

cap badge for the 4th labour company later absorbed into the Canadian Engineers

Cap badge to the 10th CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES
MANITOBA

Paul,

Great post.....you've amassed quite a collection...how long have you been at it ?????
Jeez.........how many different units were there?????

Regards

Hi Lou there where 260 numbered infantry units 3 named units and then all the corps. My collection is massive and one of the nice things is each badge is a work of art all hand finished. I will post pics off and on thanks for the interest

I like these too Paul. There's so many I just pick up the odd one depicting an animal, or the Manitoba battalions, if it's my price. I have yet to get a 10th CMR like you posted, even though it's my town!

Bob it is on ebay right now one of my spares for every one it is a PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE unit just north of Winnipeg

229 battn SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN

83RD BATTN QUEEN'S OWN RIFLES TORONTO ONTARIO

CANADAIN MACHINEGUN CORPS HAT BADGE ONE OF SEVERAL TYPES.EACH DIV HAD A MG COMPANY

cap badge to the 147th battn Grey county Ontario one of two types

cap badge for the 20th battn central ONTARIO ONE OF TWO TYPEs WORN

paulbear
In May I went to a militaria auction in Burlington,Ontario which had 570 lots of cap,collar + shoulder badges for the C.E.F.,about half went to advance bids with some going overseas to france + swtizerland.Lots of rare badges,a few went over $1000.Wish I'd seen this post earlier + would have passed the info on.I only picked up a pair of collars for the #133.

Todd

thanks Todd there are not many I need but any tips are appreciated. dO YOU HAVE THE LIST OF ITEMS THAT WHERE IN THE AUCTION ?

PAUL

Really great collection Paul. Do you have 77th Batallion from Ottawa?

Yes Bernie sure do

I,ve got the sales cataloge + list of realized prices.My computer skills are lacking or I'd email them.The cataloge has a number of pics of the rare ones not in babins or charlton guides.Some of them are:244 officer cap badge,voided pickled brass star,legend"PRO ARIS ET FOCIS"+ overlaid in silver

Boyle's Yukon Motor Machine Gun Battery cap badge

Canadian Motor Machine Gun Brigade cap badge

WW2 1st Canadian Armoured Carrier Regiment matched facing pair of brass Kangaroo collar badges

Thanks for that I have all the rare stuff plus only looking for a couple plus a few officer badges. My CEF COLLECTION is housed in these plus one not shown with collars and shoulders sweetheart pins odds and sods there are several thousand

badges to the 196th battn Western Unniversities Winnipeg Manitoba

shoulder to the 9th field Ambulance this unit wore the generic Medical hat badge

Your collection could well be a national treasure. I have my Great-grandfathers cap badges.How did this work? One is 142 Battalion and the other is 7th Regiment.

Bill the 7th fusiliers was a London Ontario rgt
pre 1914. The 142 was formed in London Ontario also and was absorbed into the 23rd reserve in England. So he was an experienced soldier upon enlistment

PAUL

Thanks for that Paul. Just an aside question, do you know enything about the "McLean Cup"? I have the trophy won by my Grandfather. It reads "McLean Cup / won by /Sergt,Major John Widdicombe / First Prize / "A" COY . Shoot / 7th Regt /1915. Would he still have been in Canada at this time or in England?

Bill he would still be in Canada at that time
THE 142 was recruited between NOV 23 1915 and NOV 1 1916 and arrived England NOV 11 1916 and was disbanded that day.

PAUL

Paul, you must have something from the Royal 22e Régiment from Québec City, my home-town.

Stéphane

OUI Stephane BUT of course

Super, I like it a lot. I think I will start looking for those. Thanks for showing.

c'est mon pleasure. je me souviens EH

paul

I felt I have to post on this thread, Whilst I know nothing of these badges I want to say that I'm very impressed with your dedication to the cause and to have acrued so many badges is a testement to your obvious love of what you collect. Many thanks for showing these few badges, perhaps every now and again you could post a few more, I for one would enjoy seeing more.It's so nice to see someone collecting because they love what they collect instead of as an investment.

Thank you

Gary

Paul
Great badges. Thanks for showing them.

Paul, great stuff! Could you show a 21st Battalion of "A Rifleman Went to War" fame?

my pleasure DWIGHT and to the rest thanks for the compliments I will put more and will always post requests

PAUL

32nd battn RECRUITED in SASKATCHEWAN and MANITOBA with HQ in WINNIPEG

180TH BATTN SPORTSMANS BATTN MODELED AFTER THE British PALS,SPORTMANS BATTNS.RECRUITED in Toronto Ontario.

I will ask a dumb question. I see some badges have enamel and some don't. Why is that?

that is a good question Stephane and I am pleased to answer. The enamelled pins are what is called SWEETHEART pins and where made for sale in the canteens to send back to love ones. There are also some hat badges that where worn that have enamalling. I have such badges in silver and gold

PAUL

Thanks for the quick answer Paul!

Great stuff!

Queen's Unniversity FIELD AMBULANCE

Outstanding Paul, I had no idea that your collection was so huge. Can we see some variations of Marguerite?

Sure here is a few

PAUL

Paul, that is an amazing collection. Thanks for showing the 21st Battalion insignia. Herbert McBride, author of "A Rifleman Went to War" served with the 21st and is from my hometown. I visit his grave often.

Was the sportsmens batt.raised by Maj. Conn Smythe? i recall that connection somewhere...i know that as the owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey club, he had access to many patriotic men of the right age and fitness.

I believe the Maple Leafs Jersey crest was modelled after the CEF Canada cap badge..

Paul, do you have a 198th inf. batt. (Canadian Buffs..) cap badge and collar dogs to show?..a very short lived unit from my home town, and the insignia is nowhere to be seen here!

KURSK REF CONN SMYTHE MC CANADIAN FIELD ARTILLERY
CITATION for his MC: FOR CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY and DEVOTION TO DUTY. HE ORGANIZED SOME MEN AND LED THEM FOREWARD WITH GREAT DASH, THEREBY DISPERSING AN ENEMY PARTY AT A CRITICAL TIME. HE HIMSELF ACCOUNTED FOR THREE OF THE ENEMY WITH HIS REVOLVER. HE HAS PREVIOUSLY DONE GOOD WORK. lITTLE known history of this Maple Leaf founder.

PAUL

Here is some 198 material they had trouble with the mother unit in England which would not sanction wear of their hat badges so they ended up having three different types as shown.

Here is one of the few pics i have ever seen..this was found at the location of the photo studio, 99 King st.W during renovations
for studio lofts in the 1980's..there were thousands of pictures, some military, lining the walls as insulation..perhaps this young man never returned from the battlefields of France to claim this very nice portrait picture..

closeup 1

Paul, what would be the other devices on his shoulders?

closeup 2

closeup 3

That is a very interesting picture as he is wearing the authorized hat badge and the gilt collars to the unauthorized imperial set thanks for showing

PAUL

Paul, i added the wording after, but what other devices would this man be wearing on his shoulders, and i imagine that the collar insignia is a variation without a scroll?..the types the British would have worn?

ON his shoulder would be INF ,198 , CANADA.
or the INF could be CEF.
The collar is the unauthorized imperial badge.

PAUL

Thanks Paul..here is the collar insignia up close..the cap badge looks shiney in the pic, was it silver coloured?

THE CAP BADGE was bronze , the buff set was gilt that is how you can tell it was the Canadian issue and that was the only one which had collars. General service collars where worn with the other 2 variations.

Thank you Paul..you have a very interesting and vast collection of these badges..i like them, and maybe should look for many more than i have..branch out so to speak!

a RARE set to the YUKON INFANTRY COMPANY very low recruitment and disbanded in England for reinforcements. The gold in the pans are real nuggets and where often taken out and exchanged for beer in the English pups .

Badges to the TORONTO HOME GUARD formed in 1914 to defend vitial points in the city of TORONTO Ontario, THEY even had a sweetheart pin.

MHG - MONTREAL HOME GUARD formed in 1914 to guard vital points and even private purchased their own weapons from the US- KRAGS.HAT BADGE and SHOULDER no known collars

One of five varities of the CHAPLIN badge this one with maple leaves and a 21KT gold sweetheart pin of another varity

Captivating Thanks for showing.

YOU like that MONTREAL HOME GUARD don't you ? That was for you enjoy

PAUL

Yes I do Paul. Thanks for showing. Very interesting field which I don't know much about. Thanks to you, I am learning more and more.

The ROYAL MONTREAL RGT 14TH BATTN one of three numbered Quebec regiments that saw action in France 14th 22nd 24th.

The famous 16th battn of the CANADIAN SCOTTISH from BRITISH COLUMBIA.

Fantastic, Paul. Thanks for sharing.

Dave

MY PLEASURE MUCH more to come

PAUL

Fantastic collection Paul. Some amazing history linked to some of those badges.

Thanks Bernie what city town are you in, will post something from your area

PAUL

Paul,

You already posted them: 77th Battalion.

THE ULTRA RARE 9TH BATTN BADGE formed from men from EDMONTON and OTTAWA the badge was never officially issued but was worn by cadre of the 9th reserve battalion to which it was broken up.

The 207th battn OTTAWA CARLETON broken up in England into the 7th reserve for reinforcements

Thanks Paul,

Didn't know about those.

badges to the 8th CMR CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES formed in OTTAWA ONTARIO and disbanded in England as reinforcements.As a note the CMRs fought as infantry in the 3rd div 10th brigade

another rare low recruitment badge in company strength the JEWISH INFANTRY COMPANY.

Thanks so much for continuing to post such wonderful badges, it's a pleasure to see them.

Gary

A pic of some of my trench art everyone can relate to this as it encompasses virtually all wars and all sides.

Here's a link to a guy selling some canadian badges.
http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZmorstar

Gary

Fascinating dedicated collection! Many thanks for sharing!

--dj--Joe

THANKS DJ as you know it is an incurable all consuming disease keeps me poor but rich with lots of stuff

Paul,

Thanks for showing your outstanding collection of badges and trench art. Just wonderful and I really injoy looking. Thanks

THANKS everyone for the comments. This badge worn by the CAIRD CANADIAN ARMS INSPECTION REPAIR DEPOT. The gun plumbers of WW11

At the start of WW1 a huge mobilization camp was opened at VALCARTIER QUEBEC and remained open throughout the war as a staging area. This hat badge was worn by members of the camp staff.

2000 Canadian soldiers are currently being deployed from Valcartier to Kandahar, Afghanistan. The deployment will be completed at the end of August.

INSIGNIA of the 7th CMR CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES HQ in PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE Manitoba so rare only 8 to 12 sets thought to have been made for officers only thus most reference books do not even show pictures of these badges also of note this is the unit BILLY BISHOP first joined before his famous career with the ROYAL FLYING CORPS.

Shoulder titles to the 1st and 2nd CASUALTY CLEARING SECTIONS of the RCMC - ROYAL CANADIAN MEDICAL CORPS. They worn the standard RCMC hat badge and collars. The 1st CCS title is not suposed to exist in the books go figure.The second CCS title is gilt for officer and was known to have been owned by the CO of the unit whos dog tag I have also.

general badge set for the CANADIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS.

Paul you have a wonderful collection!
Several years ago, I aquired several cap badges from an estate. I suspect they are either British or Canadian. Would you be so kind as to help me identify them?

Here is the 1st one.

2.

3.

4.

last one. Not a cap badge, but hopefully you can identify it. Thanks....

Skull one is 17th/21st Lancers(The death or glory boys).Have happy memories of one Captain Bull 17th/21st who taught me to ride when I was a boy soldier.Had enough confidence in me that he let me point to point his hunter.
Regards JOHN

hI FIRST IS CORRECT THE lANCERS 2 is British cyclist corps rest are post WW11 DUTCH insignia

PAUL

CEF HAT BADGE TO THE 11TH BATTN FORMED IN SASKATCHEWWAN AND BROKEN UP IN ENGLAND TO FORM THE 11TH RESERVE BATTALION

CEF 23RD BATTN formed in MONTREAL AND BROKEN UP in ENGLAND TO FORM THE 23RD Reserve Battalion

CEF 107TH BATTN WINNIPEG RECRUITED MAINLY IN BRANDON, SERVED AS THE 107TH PIONEER BATTALION.

two of the CEF MACHING GUN COMPANY HAT BADGES, THERE WHERE 4 TYPES IN USE BY WARS END and several pre 1917 numbered platoon badges which will eventually be shown

Hi Paul,

Superb collection. Should the 16th Canadian Scottish not be with a king's crown?

Mike

no the coronet is correct many units affiliated with a princess as commander in chief even to this day used the coronet vis the king's crown

PAUL

Paul - thanks for the insight.

Mike

my pleasure any badges you would like to see ?

PAUL

CEF 193RD BATTN CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDERS BELMORAL BADGE TRURO NOVA SCOTIA

CEF 185 BATTN CAPE BRETON HIGHLANDERS BROUGHTON CAPE BRETON BELMORAL BADGE SOME OF THE LARGER BADGES OF THE CEF

CEF 25TH BATTN HALIFAX NOVA SCOTIA HAT badge

cef hat badge 189TH BATTN EASTERN QUEBEC

CEF HAT BADGE 112TH BATTN WINSOR NOVA SCOTIA

CEF HAT BADGE 69TH BATTN MONTREAL QUEBEC

CEF HAT BADGE 6TH BATTN FORT GARRY HORSE WINNIPEG. THIS battn was quickly reorganized back under the cavalry order of battle using its pre war hat badge

ONE OF THE LARGEST HAT BADGES OF THE CEF THE 109TH BATTN VICTORIA and HALIBURTON ONTARIO

CEF 18TH BATTN HAT BADGE LONDON ONTARIO the smaller of two variations

CEF HAT BADGE 229TH BATTN SOUTH SASKATCHEWAN BATTN WAS BROKEN UP FOR RESERVES INTO THE 15TH RESERVE BATTN IN ENGLAND

CEF HAT BADGE THE 100TH BATTN WINNIPEG GRENADIERS. In a later war they would be wiped out in HONG KONG.

cef hat badge 124th battn GOVERNOR GENERAL'S BODY GUARD TORONTO ONTARIO. WAS REDESIGNATED THE 124TH PIONEER BATTN IN ENGLAND

the C OVER COLLARS WHERE ADOPTED FOR USE BY THE FORMATIONS MAINLY SERVING IN FRANCE ALTHOUGH A FEW OTHERS USED THEM THE C FOR CANADA AND THE UNIT NUMBER IN THE CASE 10 FOR THE 10TH CALGARY ALBERTA REGIMENT.

a very rare set of badges to the CANADIAN BRIDGING COMPANY. DURING THE DESERT CAMPAIGN THE BRITISH NEEDED SPECIAL MEN TO REPAIR AND BUILD RAILWAY BRIDGES DESTROYED BY THE TURKS A SKILL THEY DID NOT HAVE BUT WAS COMMON IN CANADA THUS THIS UNIT WAS FORMED

HERE IS AN OFFICER HAT BADGE TO THE 8TH BATTN CEF THE LITTLE BLACK DEVILS WINNIPEG MANITOBA MOTTO READS NAMED BY THE ENEMY, THIS BADGE IS ENAMELLED WHICH OCCURED RARELY AMONG OFFICER BADGES OF THE PERIOD.

CEF HERE IS ONE OF TWO TYPES WORN BY THE 108TH BATTN SELKIRK MANITOBA. MANY UNITS IN THEIR SHORT LIFE WENT THROUGH BADGE CHANGES DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS THE MAIN ONE BEING THE PATTERN BEING DENIED BY OTTAWA but THE BADGE ALREADY BEING MADE AND ISSUED.

CEF COLLAR TO THE 28TH BATTN SASKATCHEWAN AND ONTARIO. hERE IS AN EXAMPLE OF A COLLAR ISSUED BUT CONDEMMED BY OTTAWA REASON NO OVERSEAS IN THE FIELD A MUST ON CEF INSIGNIA.

CEF HAT BADGE TO THE 210TH BATTN THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN ,MOOSEJAW SASKATCHEWAN.AN EXAMPLE OF ENAMELS USED IN CEF BADGES.

CEF HERE IS A SHOULDER INSIGNIA WORN BY THE 1ST FIELD AMBULANCE OF THE CANADIAN ARMY MEDICAL CORPS. THEY WORE THE NORMAL MEDICAL HAT BADGES AND COLLARS AND THIS SHOULDER WAS THIER DISTINCTIVE INSIGNIA.

cef AS CANADA WAS INTO THE GREAT WAR 1914 LONG BEFORE THE US MANY MEN WISHED TO GET INTO THE FRAY AND CANADA TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THIS BY RECRUITING THE AMERICAN LEGION BATTALIONS. HERE IS THE BADGE FOR THE 213TH BATTALION AMERICAN LEGION TORONTO ONTARIO
MOTTO ACTION NOT WORDS for all the legions

AN INTERESTING STERLING SILVER AND ENAMEL PIN CIRCA 1917 WHEN CANADA WAS HELPING TRAIN AND SUPPLY THE US TROOPS FOR OVERSEAS DEPLOYMENT THIS PIN WOULD HAVE REPRESENTED CANADA US SOLIDARITY

CEF HAT BADGE TO THE 133RD BATTN FORMED IN NORFOLK COUNTY ONTARIO AND HQ AT SIMCOE. WAS ABSORBED INTO THE 23 RESERVE BATTN IN ENGLAND

Hi Paul,

Enjoying your collection and great thread. Thats interesting to know, how many American Legion Battalions were their? Thanks

Hi Mikee glad you are on board. There where 5 legions sorry no cuff titles. Will show all shortly. Thanks for the comments and looking ENJOY

PAUL

Paul Really impressed with the depth of knowledge. Awesome stuff.

CEF BADGES OF THE 97TH BATTN AMERICAN LEGION. FORMED IN TORONTO ONTARIO AND BROKEN UP IN ENGLAND AND ABSORBED INTO THE RCR AND PPCLI DEPOTS.

A RARE VARIATION OF THE 97TH BADGE IS WHAT IS CALLED THE EATON'S PATTERN MANUFACTURED BY THE T EATON CO ALL FROM THE SAME DIE TYPE AND MOSTLY EASTERN UNITS.

What a great, informative thread. More solid info here than in many books.

Speaking of which, Paul, have you ever thought of doing a book ?

Dave

THANKS Dave in fact I have published three documents so far one is a checklist book for CEF collectors the two are print outs of the WAINWRIGHT Alberta POW camp diary . I have colour plates ready for a book on my regiments collectables but money for colour is a big problem. I advise and submit pictures for other authors all the time.

PAUL

Victor Taboika's long-awaited book is finally in Canada and will be ready for customer delivery soon. You can pre-order now at www.servicepub.com. The book is an amazing illustrated catalogue of one man's private collection. It consists of 360 full-colour pages and weighs in at a hefty 2.5Kg (approx 5+lbs). THis will be of interest to uniform, insignia and equipment collectors.
This book can also be ordered from MARWAY or E.G.URSUAL both on google. This book will soon become a bible for uniform and equipement collectors a collection I am very familiar with.will be at the dealers within three weeks.

Paul

I have to agree with you on the book being the bible for CEF collector.There is limited info out there now for the CEF collector.


Thanks Joe Semen

CEF 92ND BATTN TORONTO ONTARIO 48TH HIGHLANDERS FULL BUCKLE VARIETY AND NON AUTHORIZED VERSION

THIS IS THE HALF BUCKLE VARIETY AND WAS THE AUTHORIZED BADGE OF THIS UNIT.

CEF PHYSICAL INSTRUCTOR HAT BADGE THE BEND AND STRETCH BOYS

CEF 64TH BATTN NOVA SCOTIA WITH HQ IN HALIFAX

CEF 161ST BATTN HURON COUNTY WITH HQ AT LONDON ONTARIO.

CEF 3RD BATTN TORONTO ONTARIO NOTE THE NON VOIDED CROWN ONE OF MANY VARIETIES ALSO MADE OF BRASS SO A VERY EARLY BADGE.

CEF 75TH BATTN TORONTO ONTARIO

Keep going Paul, don't stop until there are no more to show, I sure love this thread.

Gary

Hey Baz thanks for the comments glad to hear from members who enjoy this and I think I can keep this going for some time.

PAUL

cef 40th battn NOVA SCOTIA was broken up in England for reinforcements.

Incredible collection - online textbook in this thread

cef 3rd SPECIAL SERVICE COMPANY and COLLAR rare insignia to guards of CANADIAN CONCENTRATION CAMPS DURING WW1 WHICH HOUSED UNFRIENDLY ALIENS

THE ROYAL FLYING CORPS. CANADA FLEW UNDER THE BRITISH INSIGNIA OF THE RFC DURING WW1 BUT MADE THE INSIGNIA IN CANADA WHICH IS RARER

Paul, this is a great treat! Every time I check in something new and interesting to see.

Regards, --dj--Joe

THANKS DJ appreciate the feedback and lots more to come

PAUL

This is great and unique thread with info that cannot be found anywhere else.

I need to figure out a special award for work like this. Stay tuned

Dave

my pleasure to add something positive to the community and am very pleased with the kind words and many members who find this as fancinating as I do

PAUL

VERY IMPORTANT GROUP THE CANADIAN ARMY PAY CORPS

AND A VARIATION SET FOR THE PAY CORPS

CEF 141ST BATTN RAINY RIVER . Hq FORT FRANCIS ONTARIO on the CANADIAN US BORDER. LOTS OF AMERICANS JOINED THIS UNIT

CEF 214TH BATTN WADENA SASKATCHEWAN broken up for reinforcements in ENGLAND

Interesting set of CEF badges to the REMOUNTS. the cowboy soldiers who broke the horses and trained them for the multitude of tasks still needed even after the advent of the motor car. They dragged up the field guns brought up supplies and mounted the cavalry.

I am pleased to announce the award of the first "Great Thread" Badge to Paul Ayerst for this spectacular thread. For those who collect these badges, this will be a fantastic reference.

Congratulations and keep it up.

Regards,
Dave

It's got to be the best and most informative thread I have seen, congratulations to Paul.

Gary

CEF 4TH DIVISIONAL CYCLISTS. EACH DIV HAD A COMPANY OF CYCLISTS WHO ACTED AS MOBILE SCOUTS.

Paul,

Congratulations and well deserved. Thanks for a great thread.

thanks Mikee BAZ et al APPRECIATE the kind words great to share this with the collector community.

PAUL

Rare CRTD HAT BADGE. CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS TRAINING DEPOT. This unit trained and posted out recruits as required to the 14 railway companies.

CEF BADGES TO THE CMR DEPOT CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES. THEY TRAINED AND VETTED OUT REPLACEMENTS TO THE 4 BATTALIONS IN THE FIELD.

CEF HAT BADGE and COLLARS TO THE 13TH CRT CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS. THE USE OF RAILWAYS WIDE AND NARROW GUAGE WAS ALL IMPORTANT DURING THE CONFLICT and CANADA WHO HAD JUST FINISHED THE TRANS CONTINENTAL LINE WAS FLUSH WITH EXPERTS WHO BECAME RENOWN THROUGHOUT THE FRENCH BELGIUM SECTORS FOR THEIR WORK.

CEF 5TH CRT CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS set.

CEF BADGES OF THE 10TH CRT CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS

CEF 12CRT 12TH CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS

11CRT,11TH CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS hat badge set

CEF 3RD CRT CANADIAN RAILWAY TROOPS OVERLAY BADGE PROBABLY WORN BY OFFICERS ONLY

CEF 50TH BATTN CALGARY ALBERTA served in France and Flanders

SOLID STERLING SILVER HAT BADGE MADE BY THE FAMED GOLDSMITH@SILVERSMITH firm of LONDON attributed to their PIPE MAJOR

CEF THE 1ST BATTN WESTERN ONTARIO WAS THE FIRST NUMBERED BATTN OF THE 260 FORMED

ANOTHER SET OF VARIATION 1ST BATTALION INSIGNIA
there where many!

INTERESTING REAL UNPUBLISHED PHOTO of GENERAL CURRIE presenting the MM military medal for Bravery in the Field to a group of Canadian soldiers in France 1917. The soldier second to the right of CURRIE is SGT PERCY GARDNER whose medals and other memorabilia I now own

and yet a third variation of the 1ST BATTN CEF.

CEF 2ND BATTN EASTERN ONTARIO THE SECOND NUMBERED UNIT TO BE FORMED AND SENT TO VALCARTIER.

CEF A VARIATION SET OF THE 2ND BATTALION BADGES

CEF 3RD BATTN TORONTO ONTARIO, THIS IS WHAT IS CLASSISFIED AS A SUPERIOR STRIKE AND ATTRIUTED TO WEAR BY OFFICERS.

AN EXTREMELY RARE OVERLAY PATTERN TO THE 3RD BATTN PROBABLY ONLY 4 OR 5 KNOWN YOU COULD BUY A POSTAL PROTECTION DAGGER WITH THIS ONE. One of a series of overlay patterns not accepted but made in low numbers on reiche leafs all very valuable.

I need some help Iding a cap badge from an ebay listing #110198711786.The 2 collars are in my Charlton guides but not the cap badge.What guides would you reccommend for pre WW1 + post WW1 militia badges.
Thanks

Hi the cap badge is real as it is widely reproduced would be worth about 150.00 as a generic police badge. There is no definitive price guide out there for any Canadian insigina and most is on an upward spiral right now anyhow

PAUL

CEF 4TH BATTN CENTRAL ONTARIO.OVERLAY ON A RARE REICHE LEAF. THIS UNIT WAS COMMANDED BY COLONEL R.H. LABATT yes of the brewery family from Toronto

CEF 108 A VARIATION OF THE PREVIOUSLY SHOWN SELKIRIK BANTAMS HAT BADGE

CEF 201ST BATTALION TORONTO LIGHT INFANTRY

CEF 128TH BATTN MOOSEJAW SASKATCHEWAN

CEF 111TH BATTN SOUTH WATERLOO GALT ONTARIO

CEF 146TH BATTN KINGSTON ONTARIO

CEF 134TH BATTN 48TH HIGHLANDERS TORONTO ONTARIO

CEF 115TH BATTN ST JOHNS NEW BRUNSWICK

CEF 36TH BATTN HAMILTON ONTARIO ONE OF THE LOW NUMBERS BROKEN UP FOR REINFORCEMENTS 3RD RESERVE BATTN

CEF UNITED FARMERS OF ALBERTA MOUNTED INFANTRY COMPANY. A REAL RARITY AND A REAL ODD BALL UNIT OF THE PERIOD. PART OF A POLITICAL MOVIMENT BY FARMERS AND TIED TO THE LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN WAS BROKEN UP INTO THE 210TH BATT BEFORE GOING OVERSEAS

Absoluetly awesome thread and fantastic collection Paul. Unbelievable!!!!

Hey and you have a damm fine CAR

Hey Paul Bear
Outstanding! Unbelievable! Thanks for sharing that.

my pleasure Dave any cities provinces you wish to see ?

PAUL

CEF OFFICER 4TH BATTN VARIATION SET

YET ANOTHER OFFICER 4TH BATTN VARIATION SET

CEF 5TH WESTERN CAVALRY FORMED ON THE PRAIRIE PROVINCES BUT SERVED WITH DISTINCTION AS INFANTRY IN THE TRENCHES.

CEF THE 6TH BATTN WAS IMMEDIATELY DISBANDED IN CANADA AND REFORMED AS THE FORT GARRY HORSE CAVALRY USING THEIR ORIGINAL BADGE THE FORT GARRY GATE WITHOUT THE LEAF.

CEF 8TH BATTN WINNIPEG MANITOBA THE LITTLE BLACK DEVILS ORS SET

CEF ULRA RARE OVERLAY PATTERN HAT BADGE SET TO THE 10TH BATTN CALGARY ALBERTA

CEF 10TH BATTN ORs SET CALGARY ALBERTA

CEF 10TH BATTN OFFICERS HAT BADGE AND COLLARS WITH ORs C OVER 10 COLLARS and a SWEETHEART PIN

Paul .....You Gotta Love those Beavers(!)

What a Great Thread of Education of an area which is relatively unknown, South (or East or West!) of the Great White North!

Keep 'em coming! Super. ....... Txs, Dave/dblmed

CEF 12TH BATTN NEW BRUNSWICK

CEF 12TH VARIATION WITH C OVER 12 COLLARS AND SWEETHEART PINS

Paul, can you give me some unit history for the 106 Regiment Winnipeg Light Infantry.

Send by email to oldpat@gmail.com see what I can do fer you

PAUL

Cef OFFICER GOLD and SILVER 3 PIECE BADGE WITH COLLARS AND SHOULDER VERY RARE THE HAT BADGE IS WORTH A MOD 36 SS

NOTE TO MY FOLLOWERS IT MAY APPEAR AS IF i AM MISSING NUMBERS BUT SOME HAVE BEEN LISTED EARLIER AND i DO NOT WANT TO DUPLICATE.

CEF 15TH BATTN BALMORAL BADGE WITH C/15 COLLARS AND OFFICER SHOULDER

NEXT A SELECTION OR MORE ORNATE SHOULDER TITLES WORN BY ORs of the CEF first 11TH CMR CANADIAN MOUNTED RIFLES VANCOUVER BC

NEXT 107TH BATTN WINNIPEG BRANDON MANITOBA

NEXT 184TH BATTN WINNIPEG SOUTHERN MANITOBA

NEXT 181ST BATTN BRANDON DISTRICT MANITOBA

NEXT 229TH BATTN MOOSEJAW SASKACHEWAN

AND LAST FOR NOW THE 72ND BATTN SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS BC

cef insiginia of THE SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA. BC

CEF 18TH BATTN LONDON ONT

CEF 18TH BATTN VARIATION SET WITH C/18 COLLARS

CEF TORONTO ONTARIO SET WITH GOLD BROOCH

CEF 19TH BATTN ULTRA RARE OVERLAY PATTERN EXPERIMENTAL VERY FEW MADE ON THE REICHE LEAF

Quite an assemblage. You could fill a number of display cases.
Thanks for sharing and continued sucess finding pieces your collection is missing.

--dj--Joe

thanks DJ yes the collection fills four antique multi drawer cabinets shown somewhere in the thread and it is always a great thrill to locate a piece to put in a tray very hard to do these days but keeps me on the hunt

PAUL

CEF 20TH BATTN CENTRAL ONTARIO HQ TORONTO CAP AND COLLARS 2 TYPES

CEF 20TH BATTN VARIATION WITH RARE COLLAR STILL NEED TO FIND ITS MATE

Paul:

What a fantastic collection. You do all of us proud.

Regards from the Stampede!

John

Thanks your comments and support are appreciated

PAUL

Great thread Paul! I pick up the odd one, but try to limit it to Manitoba battalions, or if they have an animal (other than the beaver) on them. That still leaves plenty. ........I was wondering if you have any CEF RINGS? The only one I've seen was a blank ring with an enamel sweetheart battalion badge soldered to it. - Cheers, Rob

Hi Bob yes I have several CEF RINGS they where sold at Hughes all the same type very hard to come by now have not seen one for years. The units I have are 197,180,217,201,213

PAUL

CEF INSIGNIA TO THE 21ST BATTN KINGSTON ONTARIO

CEF BADGES OF THE ROYAL 22ND REGIMENT QUEBEC

CEF 92ND DRAFT VARIATIONS VERY RARE ONLY USED AS KILT PINS AND FOR OFFICERS.

CEF CANADIAN VETERNARIAN CORPS VARIATION SET

CEF ULTRA RARE 30TH BATTN BRITISH COLUMBIA SET NOT APPROVED AS THEY MIMICED THE GENERAL OFFICER BADGES AND WHERE NOT ISSUED AND DESTROYED.

CEF 114TH BATTN BROCK'S RANGERS SIX NATIONS RESERVE ONTARIO

CEF 102ND BATTN BRITISH COLUMBIA WITH RARE C/102 COLLARS

CEF SIGNALS SET. THE FLEGLING Signals corps was actually part of the engineer corps during most of WW1 UNTIL 1918 they got their own badges. The collars shown are often mistaken for sweetheart pins but are in fact very rare officer sterling collars

CEF 49TH BATTN EDMONTON ALBERTA BADGE SET HAD NO KNOWN OFFICERS BADGE. THE COYOTE IN THE CENTRE WAS CALLED LESTOCK AFTER THE TOWN WHO GIFTED THE PUP TO THE MEN ON THEIR WAY THROUGH TO THE EAST COAST.

CEF 42ND BATTN BLACK WATCH OF CANADA OFFICERS SET THREE PIECE BADGE GOLD AND SILVER HIGHEST QUALITY AND RARE.

CEF 47TH BATTN BRITISH COLUMBIA SERVED IN FRANCE WITH THE 4TH DIV.FIRST OF THREE SETS OF BADGE VARIATIONS TO THIS UNIT

2ND VARIATION SET NOTE LEAF

THIRD VARIATION WITH MOTTO BANNER POSSIBLE POST WAR BUT NOT CONFIMED THOUGHT TO BE OFFICER ONLY VERSION

CEF 2ND BATTN EASTERN ONTARIO HIGH QUALITY OFFICER SILVER ENAMELLED SET MADE BY GOLDSMITH AND SILVERSMITH IN ENGLAND

Paul .... What beautiful and amazingly detailed pins, insignia and related CEF militaria! It keeps even getting better and better. You never cease to astound us with the depth of your collection! Keep it going! Best, Dave/dblmed

A set to the 230th batt high number enlisted in quebec as infantry and was redesignated into the forestry.

Here is a very interesting and rare survivor of CANADIAN WW1 internment history. This turned up out of a small estate group and was saved only due to his promotion to corporal. As many will know Canada has gone to great effort in order to hide the fact we had gulags for foreigners during WW1 and very little has ever survived to show they existed . enjoy

Paul:

Even the second world war internment camps are under reported. In fact, some of what went on is a shame on both the US and Canada.

It is politically correct to point out some culture's and some countries' shameful acts, but never to point out your own.

If you hide it, you don't acknowledge and learn from it.

John

one of my newer buys is what we call an interm badge to the 9th battalion cef formed in Edmonton and Ottawa.All badges to the 9th are considered rare due to the fact the unit was disbanded into the 9th reserve the same day the badges where to be issued.The so called interm badges where always unit numbers affixed to a general issue maple leaf hat badge.

a very rare and odd shoulder badge to the 44th battn CAMERON HIGHLANDERS from WINNIPEG MANITOBA.Made from a standard collar with the addition of the CANADA BAR

At the start of 1914 several communities and provinces established home guard units mostly unofficial. Some of these units where even badged and all are very rare today. Here is an example of a shoulder to the ALBERTA HOME GUARD the only know badge to this unit.

quote:

Originally posted by paulbear:
a very rare and odd shoulder badge to the 44th battn CAMERON HIGHLANDERS from WINNIPEG MANITOBA.Made from a standard collar with the addition of the CANADA BAR

....I have a 1915 photo of the 44th at Sewell camp, and an old press photo of their memorial at The Pimple, unfortunately now in ruin: http://www.harrypalmergallery....lwarvimy/pimple.html They were decimated more than once, including half their men wounded & killed in one day at The Green Crassier, a slag heap near Lens.

I've picked up a cap badge to another Manitoba battalion, the 184th, and don't see it here yet. I believe they were split up to reinforce other units on arriving in England, never fighting as the 184th.

Paul, did the Canadian Corps Gas Services have its' own badge? I used to own a Memorial Cross to a fellow of the CGSC who was killed at the Hindenburg Line in September 1918. I haven't been able to find out much about this unit.

there is no known gas corps as such in the CANADIAN orbat. Your shoulder badge is for the service corps.
Bob the 184 th was broken up in England

here is a set of badges to the 184th HQ WINNIPEG and raised in southern Manitoba and absorbed into the 11th reserve Battn in England.

more badges to the 184th to include sweetheart pins and shoulder badges

Paul:

Very nice. I like your Canadian historica.

Are you going to the Calgary show coming up in a week?

John

two new and extremely rare hat badges . one to the Quebec forestry company the other to the New Brunswick forestry company both very small units

Hi Paul picked up a whole bunch of WW1 insignia on weekend....very nice Number 2 battalion Special Service CEF served in White Russia/Siberia during revolution...only guide on value is from 70s and lists at $200...do you have any idea of price Paul? picked up photo album to RFC Canadian served with Lord Strathcona Horse, nice picks of them disembarking for Europe....thanks, Ryan

one of the rarest of the CEF corps badges the NEW BRUNSWICK MACHINE GUN DRAFT. IT is thought there where less than 50 recruited for this draft

Hi Paul, I am relatively new to this board but I REALLY felt the need to add my two cents. WONDERFUL job. I love to find collections of small items. There are so many different types and sub-types of pins(etc) that it makes collecting possible for the small,working-man, collector like myself to be able to play with the big boys(unless the price tag in the above photo is a indicative of what these pins go for rather than an exception to normal prices(lol). Thank you for showing your collection. As an aside, I would like to comment on the cabinets you have on the first page of photos. They look like Printers cabinets-Work great as do dentist cabinets(I have them all over my house- full & half full of different "treasures". Again--THANKS for sharing. You have my blood boiling and I may now have to out into collecting land and buy something. Peace, mark

yes printer cabinets and one old Dental very hard to find up here but well worth it for this hobby. Thanks for the comments

PAUL

JUST GOT BACK FROM A BIG AUCTION IN Winnipeg AND ACQUIRED WHAT IS PROBABLY THE MOST RARE BADGE OF THE CEF. this IS THE FULL SIZE YUKON MOTOR MACHINE GUN BRIGADE HAT BADGE ONE OF ONLY TWO KNOWN

Congratulation, Paul.

That is a great acquisition.

John

Congrats Paul, beautiful acquisition!

Paul,

That's nice! Congratulations and thanks for always taking the time to post your finds!

THANKS ALL please note the nugget in the gold pan is a real gold nugget

MAGNIFICENT!

HERE IS THE FULL SIZE BADGE ALONGSIDE A COLLAR WHICH WAS RECENTLY SOLD IN ENGLAND BY BOSLYS FOR OVER 8,000 USD. THE BUYER WAS NOT PLEASED WHEN HE FOUND OUT IS WAS ONLY A COLLAR

A NICE STERLING AND ENAMEL SWEETHEART PIN OF THE PPCLI PRINCESS PATRICIA'S CANADIAN LIGHT INFANTRY WW1

here is a couple of the numbered artillery badges used in CANADA only and where never officially authorized.

HERE IS A SINGLE COLLAR TO THE 215TH BATTN BRADFORD ONTARIO. THE CO at mobilization was L/COL COCKSHUTT OF TRACTOR FAME and this collar is his family crest. THIS is one of a set made specially for him and no there are no others known to exist.

Paul,

Always good to see your new finds. Thanks

Very nice, Paul.

Congratualtions.

John

here is a stunning officer hat badge to the 116th battn Uxbridge Ontario, ONE I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BUY FOR YEARS

Nice Paul, funny enough I was in Uxbridge last weekend cheers, Ryan

HERE IS SOME NICE officer hat badges and sweethearts pins etc to the 184th battn Manitoba

here are three Scottish WW1 sporran type sweetheart pins very collectable on their own

Paul,

Your collection is incredible. Thank you much for sharing with us.

Regards,
Dave

my pleasure DAVE it seems very popular especially among my US friends

You are welcome, Paul.

Are there many that you are missing?

Barry Turk of Emedals.ca here in Ontario just purchased a large and extensive CEF cap badge/insignia collection...check out their site many are listed and more to be listed over the coming weeks cheers to all!!!! Ryan

This has to be one of the most interesting topics I have seen on GDC. A seldom seen area of military collecting, Paul is the king of the hill.

We have not heard from him for a long time ...... Paul, you out there ?

Anybody in touch with Paul ?

It's been a while and I hope all is well/

Dave

I hope he is well a longtime member and a true gentleman