WWI War Raised Units; - The Household Battalion

[Watchdog]

It seems common to equate the historical status of a unit with it's lineage and combat service over time.

However, this is the cap badge of a very shortlived unit that is often overlooked by collectors and many have never heard of it.

The Household Battalion originated from the very prestigeous Household Division of the British Army. A formation with almost mythical service history and kudos in many quarters over a long and distinguished history.

In 1916 there was little scope for cavalry charges and high speed tactics of mounted troops but there was great need for infantry with many cavalry units being deployed in what amounted to infantry roles.

Therefore the Household Battalion was formed from the reserves of the Household Cavalry (1st & 2nd Life Guards and Royal Horse Guards) and after much re-training and re-equipping the unit went into the field in April 1917 at Arras on the Western Front.

Later in Sept and Oct of 1917 they took part as a sub-unit of 4 Div in the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele sometimes referred to as "the Hazy Red Hell") where at Poelcapelle they suffered 361 casualties (inc 13 officers) out of a strength of 498. If you take the original meaning of "Decimation" as 1 : 10 they had been "Decimated" more than 7 times!!

In Feb 1918 they were effectively disbanded when the men were distributed amongst other regiments although formal disbandment was not until March of that year.

One might say that they "earned their stripes" in such a short existence.

This is the other ranks brass cap badge and there were no variations.




The lack of a long history does not preclude a distinguished one!

Regards

Mark