Collar Badges - Reserve -  Infantry 1931 - 1942 

The infantry collar badge changed in 1931 to a brass and a silver crossed rifles and separate number.  The number was worn in two ways,  below the rifles by the six regular infantry battalions and to the side by the seven reserve battalions.   Two other examples exist and they are shown below 'City of Dublin Volunteers' and the 26th Inf Batt.   During the early emergency period when new battalions were being established they used available numbers to suit their needs e.g. 25th Battalion used the 2 and 5 because there was not a single piece number made up.  From photographic evidence more often than not the new battalions did not wear numbers.

 
[Metal Main] [Collars Main] [Inf Main] [Regular]

 

               
07 Inf Batt 08 Inf Batt 09 Inf Batt
     
             
10 Inf Batt 11 Inf Batt 12 Inf Batt
     
                           
13 Inf Batt
     

 

             
City of Dublin Volunteers
 

 

The 26 Infantry Battalion was established in 1939.  It is possible that the numeral was a battalion manufacture rather than an issue item.  As I have mentioned already none of the other battalions followed suit with a similar device.

             
26th Infantry Battalion
 

 

[Metal Main] [Collars Main] [Inf Main] [Regular]
 

 

 

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 Page Updated : Saturday, 29 September 2007