Royal Naval Division (RND) Petty Officer Cap Badge – Restrike

Royal Naval Division (RND) Petty Officer cap badge – restrike example of British military headdress insignia associated with the Royal Naval Division during the First World War.

The badge features the distinctive Royal Naval Division design in relief, incorporating naval motifs and the traditional styling associated with petty officer rank insignia. Originally worn on service headwear, the badge served as a visible indication of status and affiliation within one of the most unusual formations of the Great War.

The Royal Naval Division was formed in 1914 from Royal Navy reservists and naval personnel not immediately required for sea service. Although naval in origin, the division fought primarily as an infantry formation and served with distinction in campaigns, including the defence of Antwerp, the Gallipoli Campaign, and on the Western Front. Its battalions bore famous naval names and maintained strong naval traditions despite operating under battlefield conditions more commonly associated with the army.

Petty Officer cap badges were worn by senior non-commissioned naval personnel within the division and formed part of the distinctive insignia associated with Royal Naval Division service. Original examples are increasingly scarce due to the formation’s relatively short lifespan and the heavy casualties it sustained during the war.

As a restrike example, this badge was manufactured after the original period of issue but faithfully reproduces the wartime pattern’s appearance. Such examples are popular with collectors, reenactors, and enthusiasts of Royal Navy and First World War history.

Manufactured in bronzed brass with attachment fittings to the reverse, this example represents an attractive reproduction of a historic Royal Naval Division badge.

Dimensions

Approx. 67mm height

Condition

Good overall condition, with crisp detailing and a well-preserved finish. Light handling and storage marks may be present. Reverse fittings remain intact and secure. No significant damage or repairs evident.