Historical information

A badge that once belonged to J B McLean, he could have brought it back from World War as a souvenir.
From information found online: 'The Royal Dublin Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, which recruited in the east of Ireland. Created in 1881 by the amalgamation of two former East India Company regiments, it was disbanded in 1922 on the establishment of the Irish Free State.'
These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F.
J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).

Significance

This is an example of souvenir retained by an ex soldier.

Physical description

Royal Dublin Fusiliers Regiment cap badge. It is a bi-metal badge in the form of a fused (or flaming) grenade, on the brass ball of which is a white metal Royal Tiger above an elephant (both in white metal). At the base a white metal scroll bearing the title 'ROYAL DUBLIN FUSILIERS'.

Inscriptions & markings

Royal Dublin Fusiliers