Regimental Identity
The museum collection includes a range of embroidered pieces which celebrate the Regiment's indentity. A few are useful items such as cushion covers, but most are decorative. Some items may have been made by soldiers or their relatives, but others are clearly professionally produced. Of particular interest are a group of woolwork pieces with strong similarities in design.
Bobby the Antelope
The collection contains many embroidered depictions of an antelope known as Bobby, who is the regimental mascot. Many of these are in the form of the Regimental crest with Bobby shown within a garter badge bearing the motto ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ and topped with a crown. Others copy the form of the Regimental cap badge, with Bobby above a banner showing ‘Royal Warwickshire’ or ‘Royal Warwickshire Regiment’.
Kits for such embroideries of regimental crests were distributed during WW2 so many may have been made as therapy pieces or by prisoners of war. The collection of the King's own Royal Regiment Museum in Lancaster includes an example of a pack 'Made by Briggs' containing a transfer of their regimental crest with a leaflet of instructions. The leaflet lists similar kits for other regiments including RWR. www.kingsownmuseum.com/ko2845-01.htm
Royal Warwickshire Regimental crest, property of Corporal George E.L. Dibb who served in WW1.. view more
Embroidered regimental crest made by the sister of Private Baker, dating from WW1.. view more
Embroidery of Royal Warwickshire Regiment Cap Badge. view more
Framed woolwork embroidery of the Regimental crest. view more
Framed embroidery of regimental crest in woolwork, surrounded by a floral garland and small banners recording battles.. view more
Company standards for the Sixteenth Battalion RWR with Headquarters and companies A, B and D.. view more
Framed silk embroidery of Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1st Battalion colours with antelope emblem.. view more
Professional embroideries
The collection contains a small number of very high quality pieces which have clearly been professionally made.
The first two panels below are so similar in design and technique that they must have a common origin. Other regimental museums hold pieces which are identical in design and technique but customised for their regiment. An example held by the National Army Museum carries a label saying that it was made by H. Imamura, Nagasaki, Japan, and their records show that it was bought in India by a soldier as a gift for his sister. It seems likely that H. Imamura produced panels to order for different regiments and occasions, which were then exported to India.
Framed silk embroidery of Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1st Battalion colours with antelope emblem.. view more
This piece has the same design as the Royal Warwickshire Regiment panel but with the addition of the crest of Munster.. view more
The work includes the use of metallic threads and additional beads and cords.. view more
Woolwork panels
The museum collection contains a substantial group of panels embroidered in wool on canvas or cotton which, though varying in details, show a strong ‘family resemblance’ suggesting that they were created at a similar place and time. The use of the wording ‘Royal Warwickshire Regiment’ in these pieces means that they must date from after 1881 when this title was adopted. The inclusion of the Queen’s crown and the initials V.R. suggest they date from before 1901. There are several indications both from the content of some of the panels, and from similar pieces located in other regimental museums, that they were made by soldiers in India.
Although the materials, style of embroidery and colour palette differ they contain design elements which resemble those of the three professional pieces above. Each of these panels depicts the regimental colours accompanied by some combination of drums, bugles, garlands of heraldic plants, and the regimental emblem ‘Bobby’ either within a garter badge or standing alone. These images of Bobby differ from other embroideries in the collection in two ways. Bobby is sometimes shown within the garter badge set against a landscape of hills rather than simply standing on a striped bar and, unlike other representations which show straight forelegs, Bobby is pictured with his right front leg raised.
Woolwork embroidery on calico mounted on cardboard. This is the simplest of this group of pieces.. view more
Woolwork embroidery with Royal Warwickshire Regiment banner and emblem, colours, floral garland, drums and bugle.. view more
Woolwork panel, slightly faded and damaged particularly at the top, with cord edging.. view more
Framed woolwork panel containing the date 1893. In addition to the design elements common to this group this piece includes palm trees and seated antelopes.. view more
Framed but unglazed woolwork panel with a metal cap badge included in the centre of the Regimental colour.. view more
Woolwork panel, faded and with some other damage. Bobby is shown with foreleg raised.. view more
This panel shows some variations in design. Bobby is shown with foreleg raised without the surrounding badge.. view more
Framed woolwork panel with metal cap and collar badges. view more