York and Lancaster Regimental Crest on Flag Pole
This large brass Tiger and Rose was made in 1930 by members of the 2nd Bn and used as a flag pole base in India during the 1930's. This picture shows the badge outside the 2nd Bn Orderly Room in 1933.
The badge was moved to the regimental depot at Pontefract in the early 1950's not long after the 2nd Bn was merged with the 1st Bn. This picture shows apprentices from Newton Chambers with an NCO in 1955.
This picture shows an RSM from the Regimental Depot at Pontefract with an NCO and a visitor viewing the crest in the 1950's.
This news paper cutting from the regimental archive is dated 6 March 1956 and shows 2 soldiers from the regiment polishing the brass of the crest.
The crest was moved to the regimental HQ at Endcliffe Hall in Sheffield after the closure of the depot at Pontefract and was mounted on a flag pole base shortly after.
The following news paper cutting, dated August 1969, shows the crest now mounted on its metal back plate on the flag pole at Endcliffe Hall. This clearly dates the crest as being mounted at Endcliffe Hall from at least 1969.
The train name plate was donated to the regiment in 1964 after the locomotive bearing the name was scrapped. This was mounted onto the flag pole base at Endcliffe Hall at the same time as the badge.
In 2024 the MOD made a decision to sell Endcliffe Hall resulting in the dispersal of the remaining York and Lancs items from the hall. Some items were offered to museums and public places for display, other items were sent to a local auction house to be sold. The badge and train name plate were sold (to 2 separate buyers) in March 2025. The badge is currently being restored and it is hoped it will eventually be put on public display.
During restoration, when the tiger was removed from the metal plate, the names of the soldiers who made the badge and the date 1930 were discovered stamped into the back of the tiger.
The names are:
Armourer Staff Sgt HE Bentley, Pte DrakePte and Fagan
The names, date and 2 Y&L are clearly stamped into the back of the tiger.
The badge is made of brass and the tiger alone weighs 25.5 kilos!
The badge prior to restoration.
The Duke of Wellington's Regiment flag pole, badge and train name plate was added in the 1990's when the 3rd Battalion Duke of Wellington's Regiment had its HQ at Endcliffe Hall. On closure of Endcliffe Hall, the badge and name plate were transferred to the Army Reserve Centre in Huddersfield.
