BADGE OF THE ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
In addition to the gradual changes which have arisen, it must be mentioned that in 1881 the names of many regiments underwent changes and the badges suffered material alterations in consequence. Before the year in question, each army unit was known by its number and the crests bore distinguishing numerals. Thus the Wiltshire badge, which to-day depicts the Duke of Edinburgh's monogram within a circle, bore the figures "62" instead up till 1881. The collector will find these early devices of much interest, but, as a rule, they are fairly hard to obtain.
Unless the collector has ideas of his own as to how the badges should be mounted, it will be a capital plan to cover a board with black velvet and pin the medal emblems to it. When complete, the board should be framed with a moulding having a fairly deep rebate. The effect will be pleasing; the frame can be used as a wall ornamentation, and, what is most important, the badges themselves will be protected, as far as possible, from the deteriorating influences of the atmosphere.
A study of the designs given on the crests forms, of course, an interesting pastime. Probably the first point which the student will notice is that certain specimens bear the King's sign—e.g. the King's Dragoon Guards and the Grenadier Guards—consequently, all such badges must inevitably suffer alteration on the demise of the reigning sovereign.
All royal regiments, with a single exception, bear the royal crown, though crowns of various types are borne by other units than royal ones.
Light infantry regiments invariably display a horn.
Grenades form part of the devices worn by the Grenadier Guards, the Royal Artillery, and the Fusilier regiments.
Most of the Irish units display the harp, and the Welsh the dragon, but in connection with this latter class, it must be mentioned that the Buffs (East Kent) are also proud of a dragon; this, however, was given them for services rendered in China.
Britannia, one of our most cherished allegorical figures, is seen on but a single crest: that of the Norfolks. It was awarded to this unit for gallantry at Almanza in 1707. The Spaniards in the Peninsular War nicknamed the men of this regiment the "Holy Boys," as they mistook the figure of Britannia for that of the Virgin Mary.