Item number: M228

Year: AD 1955-1959

Material: Silver

Size: 36.7 x 31.8 x 2.5 mm

Weight: 18.15 g

Provenance: Private Collector, UK, 2024

This is a badge minted by the British “The Border Regiment” stationed in West Germany between AD 1955 and AD 1959, likely as a commemorative gift for retiring soldiers. The top of the badge is attached to a black, red, and yellow ribbon, symbolising Germany, indicating the period it was likely issued.

The obverse side of the badge features the regiment’s insignia: a cross set against the backdrop of the Garter Star, flanked by laurel wreaths on either side. At the top, there is a crown symbolising the British monarchy. The scroll at the bottom of the insignia bears the regiment’s designation, “THE BORDER REGT.”

The arms of the cross are engraved with the names of battles in which The Border Regiment and its predecessor units participated. The central arch is inscribed with “ARROYO DOS MOLINOS 1811,” referring to a battle in Spain during the Peninsular War. Notably, the centre of the insignia features a dragon and the word “CHINA,” symbolising the regiment’s involvement in the First Opium War in AD 1841. During this conflict, one of the regiment’s predecessors, the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot, captured a Qing Dynasty military flag at the Battle of Tinghai. This flag is currently preserved at Kendal Parish Church in England.

The reverse side of the medal features a laurel wreath symbolising victory, with the recipient’s name, “PTE. A. SMITH,” engraved inside.

In AD 1881, the British Army merged the 55th (Westmorland) Regiment of Foot and the 34th (Cumberland) Regiment of Foot to form a new unit, named “The Border Regiment” due to the regiments’ proximity to the England-Scotland border. Since then, The Border Regiment participated in the British Empire’s colonial wars during the Victorian era and fought in both World Wars.

From AD 1947 to AD 1955, the regiment was deployed in the Near East, including Palestine, Egypt, and Cyprus. In AD 1955, it was redeployed to West Germany to assist in the defence against a potential Soviet invasion. In AD 1957, the regiment was stationed in West Berlin, on the front lines of the Cold War. In AD 1959, The Border Regiment merged with the King’s Own Royal Regiment (Lancaster) to form the King’s Own Royal Border Regiment, adopting a new name and insignia.

物件編號: M228

年代: 公元 1955-1959 年

材質: 銀

尺寸: 36.7 x 31.8 x 2.5 mm

重量: 18.15 g

來源: 英國私人收藏 2024

這是公元1955至1959年間，駐紮於德國的英軍「邊境團」自行鑄造的徽章，可能是作為退伍士兵的紀念禮品。徽章頂端以扣環銜接象徵德國的「黑紅黃」綬帶，側面反映這枚徽章可能發放的時間。

徽章正面鐫刻部隊隊徽，一個映襯在嘉德星芒上的十字架，兩側為月桂環繞，頂部則是象徵英國皇室的皇冠。底部的卷軸則寫有部隊番號「THE BORDER REGT」(邊境團)。

十字架四臂刻有邊境團和前身部隊參與的戰役，中央的圓弧上鐫刻「ARROYO DOS MOLINOS 1811」，即半島戰爭期間在西班牙的戰役。值得注意的是，隊徽中央有象徵中國的龍和「CHINA」字樣，源自公元1841年第一次鴉片戰爭中，部隊前身之一「第55威斯特摩蘭郡步兵團」在定海的戰鬥，成功擄獲一面清軍軍旗，目前這面旗幟由英國肯德爾教區教堂保管。徽章背面是象徵勝利的月桂環，裡面鐫刻得獎者的名字「PTE.A.SMITH」。

公元1881年，英軍合併「第55威斯特摩蘭郡步兵團」和「第34昆布蘭郡步兵團」為新單位，由於兩支單位的駐地皆鄰近英格蘭和蘇格蘭交界，因此新單位被冠以「邊境團」名稱。自此邊境團參與帝國在維多利亞時期的殖民戰爭，和後續極為慘烈的兩次世界大戰。公元1947至1955年，該部隊部署在巴勒斯坦、埃及和賽普勒斯等近東地區。公元1955年，被調度至西德協防和監視蘇聯可能的入侵。公元1957年，更調度至冷戰最前線的西柏林駐點。公元1959年，部隊與「國王皇家蘭卡斯特步兵團」合併為「國王皇家邊境團」，使用新名字和隊徽。