Unfortunately I lost my Glengarry and 7th/9th Officers Cap Badge when I was on my way to attend the Seventieth Anniversary of the Liberation of Walcheren at the end of October last year. It happened when picking up a ticket at the car park barrier at Toulouse Airport. My son, driving a right-hand car, my job was to deal with ticket machines and to get nearer I opened the car door and leaned out and that is when my Glengarry must have slipped off my lap on to the road. We didn’t notice this had happened until we pulled in to the long-stay car park and then we drove back to the barrier but alas no trace and nor has there been any joy from subsequent enquiries at Lost Property. To my great sorrow I had my cap badge for over 71 years. When Commissioned I had the usual style of badge worn by the rest of the Regiment, but when I joined the 7th/9th (Highlanders) Battalion in 1943 had to quickly adapt to the pattern of Cap Badge worn by the Highlanders Battalion. Previously all officers in the Regiment wore the same badge, based on the Collar Badge centre-piece of the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s highest Honour. Despite The Royal Scots having been first raised in 1633 and the Scots Guards in 1642, over the course of time it seemed the Scots Guards approached the Senior Colonels of The Royal Scots to lay claim to the Badge. Whilst the rest of the Royal Scots Battalions (I assume reluctantly) agreed and were prepared to adapt to a more simple version of the badge, Colonel Fergusson of Kilmundy who raised the 9th (Highlanders) Volunteer Battalion for the specific purpose of Highlanders living and working in Edinburgh, flatly refused to change suggesting they find their own Badge and we in the 9th and ultimately 7th/9th continued to wear it as part of our dress with kilt and silver sporran. I was distraught but managed to borrow a Glengarry which I had previously presented to a Dutch friend for my parade appearances in Walcheren. However, when the Regimental Secretary heard, he at one found me a replacement badge that was spare and available from The Royal Scots Museum at Edinburgh Castle. Up The Royals! 7th/9th (Highlanders) Battalion. Officers in other Battalions of The Royal Scots. Joe Brown.
Joe, Wonderful ending to the story, but will be even better if the original badge one day turns up again. Mike
good day jo brown ww2 veteran.yesterday.01:41pm.re:the tale of a lost 71-year old cap badge.a wonderfull ending to a sad story.and you may yet recover the lost badge.i hope so.all the best for the new year,regards bernard85
Joe, I am glad that you have a replacement for your loss, but with a Little luck, if you have written ID inside your Glengarry, you may well receive it back. I sincerely hope so. Regards Tom
