Badge identification

[George.]

Hi,

Will someone kindly identify this badge please?

Thanks.

[MaxD]

The cypher in the centre is that of Queen Victoria, can't (yet) identify the regiment.

MaxD

[medpat]

Found this, it has reference to several regiments

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honi_soit_qui_mal_y_pense

[George.]

Hello Max/Medmat,

Now you have said that it appears obviously VR but what is the final letter, an I? Also I'm a bit confused as it was in a small box of items that my father kept after WWII. He was in the Royal Engineers and one of their mottos was Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense, according to Medmat's link, but why would be have a Victorian badge?

The box contained his medals, RE cap badge,  a short diary, and this badge. As there were no other badges I doubt that he collected them.

[medpat]

Could it have been a relative father/grandfather's badge?

[MaxD]

The final letter is indeed an I - for Imperatrix added to VR when she became Empress of India.

The Royal Engineers in that era as far as I can determine had the words Royal Engineers around the garter and I haven't seen one without a laurel wreath so I'd hesitate to say I know what it is. 

MaxD

[jess5athome]

Hi, could it be the "Household Cavalry"?

Frank.

[MaxD]

Frank  I have seen (as perhaps you have) a similar badge entitled Household cavalry but their vagaries of dress and insignia are for me at least, best left to a specialist in those regiments!

MaxD

[John915]

Good evening,

As an ex cavalryman I would have said household cavalry. However, my searches have turned up no victorian badges for those 3 regts. The earliest I can find is George V.

5th dragoon guards was almost identical but but had the cypher of Princess of Wales if I remember correctly. That was not their cap badge though but a badge used on horse harness etc but same size as cap badge.

Wish I had seen this earlier as I was in the library where they have a very good selection of books on cap badges and insignia.

John915