Duberly and Drew buttons and badges

THE DUBERLY AND DREW BUTTONS AND BADGES OF THE BRITISH ARMY COLLECTION were unveiled in Armoury by Lt. Colonel (Ret’d) Alastair Drew (B 1952-1957) on Thursday 15 January. Lt. Colonel Michael Wallis, Commanding Officer Winchester College CCF reports on the occasion. 

On Thursday 15th January 2009, a lengthy process was brought to completion by the unveiling of the above named collection in Armoury by Colonel Drew in the presence of David Fellowes, Director Winchester College Society, Major (Ret’d) Martin Masters, Secretary to the CCF and Peter Milner, Storeman to the Armoury.

This unique collection had first been donated by Colonel Drew, ex-Royal Green Jackets, in 1997. He had taken over the collection from the late JAG Duberly (H 1938-1943) and ex-Scots Guards, who was killed in the bombing of the Guards’ Chapel in 1944, and in whose name the Duberly Prize for the cadet who has contributed the most to the CCF, irrespective of age or rank in any one term was established and is still awarded. Colonel Drew had taken over the collection some ten years after the death of James Duberly, and continued to expand the range.

In 2004, Peter Milner took on the task of mounting and displaying this large collection in such a way that the badges and buttons would be seen by current generations of Wykehamists while in the Armoury, maximising the aesthetic impact of this esoteric collection. To view the collection is to view the battle honours and sacrifices of the British Army, over centuries. The collection will be permanently on display, and free for all to view on Winchester Day this year when the Armoury will be open. We and future generations of Wykehamist cadets will remain grateful to Colonel Drew.