25/10/2026
Posted on behalf of Julie Ann Rosser
Every man who served deserves his Cap badge on the memorial; removing it is disgusting. The honours on it were awarded to those who fought with a backbone and a determined heart to free others. The history makers gave all and did not return. Those history makers are the legacy of the Regiment, although there have been fatalities and casualties since, who too form the legacy of subsequent conflicts; they all died wearing one badge.
There are no imitations in War or within a grieving mother's heart.
This must stop now, and everyone needs to wake up before it is too late.
Whoever is messing around with the History of the Regt within the portrayal of the badge should seriously be asked questions like, why?
The Regimental Cap badge is more than an emblem or a sign; it is, for some, a chosen book of chapters of growth within a lifetime, the weight of letters home to those who eagerly wait for the key to turn in the door, its boots on the ground, its education nothing like the classroom, its theatre nothing like the stage, it's the carrying home on shoulders those that the letter was about; It’s more than making money; it’s a welcome homecoming at gatherings that are getting fewer.
The Cap badge represents more than words; it represents more than flat engraving on marble. It represents the finest Men in the finest Regiment in the British Army, the landings, the taking of bridges and the first marines; I could go on.
In conclusion, it is my considered opinion that, given the maintenance of the Memorial, given recent events and publications, a team of individuals should meet professionally and look for a way to secure the upkeep and maintenance of the Memorial in respect of the badge for years to come.
So, to explain, the recruits of the Regiment went from Silver cap badges to “stay bright” in time over the years, so let’s say, for example, those who served from 1981 had stay bright badges, not solid silver, the rational cost and maintenance of said badge.
What I am proposing is an overhaul of the Memorial that would benefit all, something that still shows our badge correctly as the one worn, one that, however, is not going to get weather-worn, maybe lose the engraved one and place a 3d badge that is made out of untarnishable metal one that is encased in an unbreakable glass dome; there could be solar lights within the dome so those remembered would always have a light.
This might sound a little OTT; however, the Cap badge would be of a size that is resplendent of the Regt, and its detail would be displayed for all to see and could be sunk into the top of a marble plinth so it is elevated; the wording would not need to be changed, and the plinth could go over the badge that is there now with the structure on top of the plinth.
This would make the Regt Memorial a talking point for the right reasons, protecting the badge's illustrious history and honour for years to come.
Low maintenance and standing proud, as we must be realistic: what is the contingency plan for the memorial when we are all but dust?
Who carries on the maintenance and protects the memory of those who served for eternity?
Those who gave and those who served matter; the Regimental Cap badge is that which tells many stories; let it be a good one.
So imagine the cap badge in a 3d form the size of the engraved badge that is there now on a plinth protected by a toughened glass dome with sunken tiny solar lights in the base of the plinth to bring light on the cap badge.
See the photo below and imagine it bigger and the Regimental Cap badge that was worn. Finally everything would be restored and not open to ridicule or Tom foolery or people pushing their art work etc.
Thoughts please .
