Author Topic: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.  (Read 626 times)

Offline gopha533

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Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« on: Tuesday 29 August 23 09:02 BST (UK) »
G'day. I am a welfare member for an Returned Services League sub branch in Australia. I have been given the task of cleaning and fixing numerous Crests and plaques for our museum. The attached pic is of a mystery crest. I have no idea who presented it to us or where it Originated. The item is British made and and I presume it is military, I hope someone can help. Thank you.

Offline shanreagh

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #1 on: Wednesday 30 August 23 22:29 BST (UK) »
Well the motto 'Vigilanter' means 'Watchfully' or 'Watchful'. 
Wiki says it is on these crests
https://www.heraldry-wiki.com/heraldrywiki/index.php?title=Vigilanter

I think the black coloured birds on the top are crows or ravens and usually signify prophecy, insight, transformation, and intelligence. or, further back, wise messengers or knowledgeable.

Red or “Gules” is the symbol of the warrior, representing might and military strength. It is also associated with being a martyr and represents sacrifice.


COCK: The rooster is the emblem of vigilance, virility, and bravery.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symbolic_chickens

There are two half moons wrapped around some hing that looks a bit like the staff from a medical  crest
Moon, (fr. lune, lat. luna): the moon is a common device. It is occasionally borne full, when it is termed in fer complement, and it is then figured with a human face. It may also be illuminated, that is, surrounded with very short rays. It proper tincture is argent. When sable it is supposed to be eclipsed.
    When a half moon is represented with the horns towards the dexter side of the shield it is supposed to be increscent, and is described as in her increment; when the horns are turned to the sinister side it is supposed to be decrescent, and is described as in her decrement(or, as some blunderingly write it, in her detriment). But these terms are chiefly found in theoretical works, and not often in practical blazon. When the horns are represented uppermost the charge is simply a Crescent, and this from the earliest times was the special ensign of the Turks.
(Decrescent.) DELALUNE.
(Decrescent.) DELALUNE.
(Increscent.) BALSWILL.
(Increscent.) BALSWILL.
    Azure, the sun, moon, and seven stars or, the two first in chief, the last in base; [otherwise Azure, seven estoiles in orbicular form, in chief the sun and full moon or]--John de FONTIBUS, Bishop of Ely, 1220-25.
    Gules, two flaunches ermine on a chief azure a sun between two moons or--DAY, co. Derby.
    Azure, a cross calvary on a griece of three steps argent between a sun in splendour and a moon in her detriment proper--MARTIN, Ireland.
    Azure, a moon descrescent or--DELALUNE[or DELALYNE].
    Azure, an increscent[i.e. a moon increscent] or--BALSWILL.
    Gules, a moon increscent or--DASTURES[or DESTURES].
    Azure, three increscents or, each enclosing a mullet--GREGORIE, co. Devon.
    Ermine, three increscents gules--SYMMES, co. Northampton.
    Increscents are also borne by the families of BUNNELL; BAIRD, co. Haddington; FALLON, &c.

Medical staff of Cadeuceus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caduceus

What was a castle a symbol of?
The castle is a symbol of enclosure, of the walled and defended city;

So around we go...my thoughts are it is either a ship or the crest for a town/village that has meaning for Australian forces.....I am thinking WW1 and in Europe?


Offline gopha533

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 31 August 23 01:41 BST (UK) »
Thank you. I am Not a heraldry expert. So this is eye-opening stuff. I did think the birds were martlets and the item between the crescents a trefoil. I could not find any reference to crescents facing each other. Someone closer to home said it might be a ship but just a guess. Thak you for your time.

Offline gopha533

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 31 August 23 01:46 BST (UK) »
I was also confused by the Bend not being at the corner of the crest.


Offline SiGr

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #4 on: Thursday 31 August 23 04:22 BST (UK) »
Hi,

Two minor points for clarification:

a. In heraldry, the black birds on the shield are martlets.

b. The object between the two crescents is a trefoil (a leaf with three petals).

One idea - a bit of a long shot maybe - is to contact shield makers in the UK and see if they can help. I have no idea how many there are and which may no longer be in existence but they might be able to help.

Good luck with your search.

ATB

Simon
(1) Janions of Cheshire, Lancashire, Hawaii, Vancouver and Seattle.
(2) Gregorys of Tarporley, Cheshire.
(3) Pughs of 'The New Pale' near Frodsham and Delamere in Cheshire.
(4) Nevills of Llanelly, Llangennech and Felinfoel.
(5) Yaldens of Ovington/Lovington in Hampshire.

Offline gopha533

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #5 on: Thursday 31 August 23 04:29 BST (UK) »
Thank you, Had not thought of shield makers,

Offline alan o

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #6 on: Friday 01 September 23 16:56 BST (UK) »
It is not British Military.

Offline gopha533

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 02 September 23 01:21 BST (UK) »
 Why is that please Alan. And if not suggestions please.

Offline AllanUK

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Re: Help to find the Identification of a ? military coat of arms/ crest.
« Reply #8 on: Saturday 02 September 23 10:34 BST (UK) »
Looks more like the crest of an English School or possibly a local council.