43rd Wessex Division
 

In Jon Mills article in the current edition of the Armourer Magazine he uses one of these Wyverns as an example of a WW2 Formation sign.

I had always assumed this particular version to be a crude reproduction or am I wrong?

It is not a nicely made badge, it could very well be a replica.

That is the right representation, but as Luc says, that particular example is almost certainly a replica.

T.

I recieved this one recently, I believe it to be original.

Its slightly different to the normal pattern but I would still say original.

The one to watch out as all the repro badge manufacturers make it is this pattern. Although originals do exist I believe it to be a post-war pattern. If anyone can disprove this please say.

43 Wesex Div
 

Please find attached pictures of examples I own:
1) Printed version still attached to karhki BD shoulder with embroidered REME title. This could be late war or 1950's.
2) Close up of printed version.
3) Embroidered version.
4) Pair of woven examples on silk. Worn in the late 1960's by HQ 43 (Wx) Div/District.
5) A variation of the embroidered Wyvern but with red feet/claws. As yet unidentified.

Hope this is of interest. Stephen.

Your badge with the red claws/feet is a printed badge which has been over-embroidered.

These are not uncommon and come in lots of different variations as it was a cottage industry making them (see picture below)

Another horrible reproduction.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pair-of-43rd-D...d=p3286.c0.m14

43ed. Wessex.
 

I am pretty sure in saying that the famous Wessex Wyvern only faces one way,to the left as you look at it. Unlike many formations that are seen as a facing pair. John.

Good point, I believe that is true for more heraldry related insignia.

The example facing right in my picture is original so a few unoffical badges did make it into production.

43 Wessex Div
 

Hi,
The Wessex with embroidered claws I featured is one of a pair- both facing the same direction. If this 'adaption' was a wartime feature it would indicate that Ordnance may not have been issuing facing pairs consitently.

The PRO file relating to the woven Div/Dist sign indicates it only came facing the one direction. This was because FS were only worn on the left arm of battledress post-war.

Regards, Stephen.

43rd. Wessex
 

I wouldnt think so. No order would have been placed for an badge that was totally improper in heraldic terms. John

No offical order but obviously one of the vast range of unoffical badges produced privately for sale to soldiers during WW2.

Wessex Wyvern
 

Pictures of some Wessex Wyverns. I have been asking fellow members of the Military Heraldry Society whether the Wyvern was ever worn as a facing pair and all say never. Totally incorrect and never issued or worn, that is good enough for me. John.
You will see that the City of Bristol Wyvern is a post war silk version, also the differences , especially the tongue on all four