TOPIC:

During the week before the W & C left Carlisle for Liverpool, and embarkation for South Africa, the Penrith paper, Mid-Cumberland and North Westmorland Herald (10.2.1900) reported the following: -

A small but interesting addition has this week been made to the uniform of the local body of Imperial Yeomanry, and has excited much notice. On the left side of the hat is a "white cockade" - a small sprig of white heather fastened in a small yellow rosette, on which are the figures "24," denoting the company. On the right side of the helmet is a dark red rosette, larger than the yellow one, and on it are the brass numerals "VIII."

Was the cockade an official addition?

Likely a unique survivor.

One of the yellow rosettes, adorned with a sprig of white heather for "good luck" (all in silk), as presented to members of the 24th (Westmorland & Cumberland) Company, 8th Bn. Imperial Yeomanry, by the Countess of Lonsdale in Penrith, on 31st January 1900.

Hugh Cecil Lowther, the 5th Earl of Lonsdale, was known as the “Yellow Earl”. His footmen wore yellow livery, his carriages were painted yellow, he always wore a yellow gardenia in his buttonhole....... Hence the yellow rosette.

Framed by the Countess of Lonsdale as a souvenir in 1917, with the inscription: "W & C.Y.C. / SOUTH AFRICAN WAR, 1899-1902. / A Regimental Badge and Porte-Bonheur".

The silver and enamel badge, being a stylised representation of the top of the cockade and the sprig of heather, may have been presented to the countess by members of the troop as a thank-you for the interest she took in the men. This certainly happened with the Duke of Atholl's draft of the Scottish Horse, who, on their departure, presented the Duchess of Atholl with a gold pendant, "after the pattern of the bronze brooch warn in their hats" (The Scotsman, 05/07/1901).





Mid-Cumberland & North Westmorland Herald, 10th February 1900
A small but interesting addition has this week been made to the uniform of the local body of Imperial Yeomanry, and has excited much notice. On the left side of the hat is a "white cockade" - a small sprig of white heather fastened in a small yellow rosette, on which are the figures "24," denoting the company. On the right side of the helmet is a dark red rosette, larger than the yellow one, and on it are the brass numerals "VIII."

Lancashire Evening Post, 12th February 1900
On the hats of the Lancasters was the red rose badge of the county, and each of the North-countrymen wore a sprig of white heather given to them previously at Penrith by Lady Lonsdale. Many of the latter were born and bred on the earl’s estate, and devoted to the interests of the house. The yellow rosette to which the heather was affixed was a reminder of their allegiance.

Stalybridge Reporter, 17th February 1900
In full war equipment, sporting on their slouch felt hats a yellow badge and sprig of white heather “for luck”, presented to them before leaving Penrith by Lady Lonsdale, this splendid lot of fellows were greatly admired for their fine physique and sturdy bearing, and all looked fighting fit.




8th Battalion I.Y. horses on board the S.S. Afric at Liverpool, prior to sailing on 11 February 1900. Unfortunately the trooper is turned with his badge facing away from the camera.













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A couple of the bits and bobs that came with the rosette.

A small page turner, inscribed with Hugh Cecil Lowther, the 5th Earl of Lonsdale's crest & monogram, and the words:

(obverse) "DEREDIT’Y ADMIR’L / of the Coasts of WESTMORL’D & CUMBERL’D / LORD WARDEN of the WEST MARSHES / COL’L WESTMORL’D & CUMBERL’D HUSSARS".
(reverse) "FLOREAT ETONA / MAYOR OF WHITEHAVEN 1894-6 / A.A.G. IMPERIAL YEO. S. AFRICA 1900".


Together with his seal.









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