Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1972.022.022 |
Object Name |
Badge, Military |
Other Name |
Insignia, Shoulder |
Title |
Shoulder Title (147th Grey Overseas Battalion) |
Lexicon category |
8: Communication Artifact |
Year Range from |
1915 |
Year Range to |
1919 |
Made |
Unknown |
Place of Origin |
Canada |
Description |
A brass military insignia item that has the battalion number "147" in cut-out-style numerals. This refers to the 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion, a unit that was raised at Owen Sound, Ontario in 1915 (the second year of the First World War). It originally would have had a split pin fastener to fit into its two lugs at the back (the pin is now missing). |
Provenance |
Unknown. Would have been worn by a member of the 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion. The unit was broken up in England and placed into the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion, and the men used in 1917 as drafts for other units. Last owned by Whitford A. Harris of Owen Sound, Grey County. He enlisted with the 248th Battalion. |
Collection |
Military, 20th-c Collection |
Material |
Brass |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Harris, Whitford A. |
Subjects |
World War I (First World War/The Great War) |
Search Terms |
147th Grey Battalion |
Function |
It likely is a Shoulder Title. Shoulder titles were worn on the lower portion of the epaulette, close to the upper sleeve area (one per side), so that people could tell which unit you were with, if they couldn't see the collar dogs or cap badge that you wore as well on your uniform. The numbered battalions of the C.E.F. were discontinued in 1919. The 147th Grey (Overseas) Battalion was created in 1915 and recruited in 1915-1916, and left for England in 1916. In England, the unit was broken up to provide reinforcements for other units. Some of the 147th were transferred to the 4th C.M.R. regiment, and the 147th's commanding officer, G. F. McFarland of Markdale, became second-in-command (as a Major) in the 4th C.M.R. In the post-war period, there was a 147th Battalion Association at Owen Sound. |