This black leather belt is approx. 3.00 inches wide and was meant for wear over one shoulder. The ends of the belt are connected to a small cartridge box or pouch that would sit in the middle of the back when worn.

The front of the belt has a Lion head escutcheon with a chain attached to the lion’s mouth that drops down to a whistle contained in a fluted tube. Dressing a tab releases the whistle for use.

Attached between the escutcheon and the whistle is a large Kings Royal Rifles badge consisting of a large Maltese cross surmounted by a King’s crown over “CELER ET AUDAX” or “SWIFT AND BOLD.” At center of the cross is a light infantry horn surrounded by a riband that reads “1^ST C.B. KING’S ROYAL RIFLES” while in each arm of the cross is “SOUTH / AFRICA / 1900 / 1902. “

The small cartridge box attached to the back has a flap with a small brass light infantry horn attached.

Overall the leather is in good condition. With the Kings crown on the badge the item would date before 1952 and most likely is from the World War Two era.

1st Cadet Battalion, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps. The 1st Cadet Battalion owes its foundation to the Reverend Freeman Wills, who was commissioned into the Volunteer Army in the rank of captain on 26 July 1890. On receiving his commission he decided to form a cadet company within the 1st Cadet Battalion, the Royal West Surrey Regiment. The Company quickly expanded to become the 2nd Cadet Battalion, the Royal West Surrey Regiment, at which point he moved the Battalion Headquarters to No. 2 Finsbury Square (and in 1904 to 42 Sun Street, which he had specially built for the purpose). In 1894 he applied to HRH Prince George, Duke of Cambridge, Colonel-in-Chief, to affiliate to the Regiment, with the title of 1st Cadet Battalion, the King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Consent was granted on 8 November 1894 and the Battalion has remained a part of the Regiment ever since.

In 1900, when volunteers were urgently needed for the Second Boer War, the Commanding Officer, Colonel Freeman Croft-Wills persuaded the War Office to accept a Company of the older Cadets with the company being enrolled in the City Imperial Volunteers. Around 100 cadets thus served in South Africa with this unit, whilst other Cadets and ex-Cadets served in the Royal Army Medical Corps, and other units. Four were killed in action, one serving with the 1st Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps at the Battle of Dundee.

In recognition of this service, King Edward VII granted the Battalion the honor of wearing on its accoutrements the Battle Honor “South Africa 1900-1902” (Army Order 151 of 1905). The announcement of this privilege was made to the Battalion by His Majesty, King George V, then Prince of Wales. The 1st Cadet Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps are the only Cadet Unit in the United Kingdom to have been granted such an honor and are permitted to wear the miniature 60th Cap Badge with the single Battle Honor, and call their Cadets “Riflemen”.    [AD]

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