Description
Physical description
A bi-metal headdress badge of a fused grenade in brass with white metal Royal Tiger above a white metal scroll inscribed "ROYAL MUNSTER". Slider on reverse.
History note
Badge of pattern worn 1898 to 1922.
The predecessor Regiment was raised in 1652 by the Honourable East India Company as a Bengal Guard of Honour. This was later expanded to a battalion and in 1756 designated the Bengal (European) Regiment.
In 1839 the Regiment was split, becoming the 1st and 2nd Bengal (European) Regiments. In 1846 and in 1850 respectively, the 1st and 2nd were designated "fusiliers". In the case of 1st this was in recognition of its gallantry in the Sutlej campaign, 1845-6 and in the 2nd it was in recognition of actions at the Battle of Goojerat, 1849, in the 2nd Sikh War.
In 1859 both Regiments passed to Crown control as 1st and 2nd Bengal Fusiliers. In 1861 both were co-opted into the British Army, respectively as 101st Royal Bengal Fusiliers and 104th Bengal Fusiliers. The two Regiments came to Britain, in 1869 and 1871 respectively, the fused grenade common to all Fusilier regiments being adopted by both Regiments at about this time. The 104th became connected to Munster in 1873 for purposes of recruitment, covering the counties of Cork, Kerry, Limerick and Clare, with Headquarters at Tralee.
In the Cardwell/Childers reforms of 1881 the Regiments were re-joined, becoming the Royal Munster Fusiliers. At this time the badge comprised three crown on a shield surrounded by a Laurel wreath. The cap badge adopted after 1898 was a flaming grenade on which was embossed a Royal Tiger on ground, beneath which a scroll with the Regimental title. It is not clear when the Tiger device was awarded, or to which of the Regiments, but both 101st and 104th had performed good service in India and might equally have qualified.
The Regiment was disbanded in 1922 on the setting up of the Irish Free State.
Inscription
ROYAL MUNSTER