SRRU Badges
 

Three badges: stamped sheet silver, engraved brass, Firmin London.

Are they all WW2 vintage or are the brass and Firmin later?

Thank yo for looking, Keith

Backs...

The two sheet metal badges were made in Salisbury by Keay's the Jewellers during WW2. The Firmin badge was issued after WW2. Have attached some unit cards I have made from the badges in my collection for info. Regards.
Dudley

Dudley, thank you for the information.

This and the Southern Rhodesia Commando but what other WW2 military badges did Keays make?

I have heard they made a LRDG badge but have yet to see an image of one.

Many thanks and enjoy the hobby

Keith

SRRU Badge
 

Keays also made RAR cap badges & probably other SR ones as well.

SRRU Badges
 

The SRRU became te SRRR as the Army expanded in WW11. It should be noted that their colours were red & white & not red & yellow. The SRACR used these colours later. Please see the attached set of cap badges & note the SRRU title which was worn on a red & white backing. These were my fathers badges of his WW11 service.

Hi Ruwa, would it be possible to have clearer images of the badges? best wishes Mike

While on the subject of Rhodesian made badges, I know that Keay's also made a Rhodesian Air Askari Corps cap badge. I have an example in the collection as attached. There is also another version of the Rhodesian Air Askari Corps cap badge which was stamped out of brass and has a slightly hollow back. I believe that this type was made by the SA Mint in Pretoria as far as I am aware. The lugs are reminiscent of the ones of some SA cap badges. (Have attached images of the one I have for interest).

As an aside some badges were made in the Rhodesia Railways workshops in Bulawayo. I am not sure which ones except for a couple of the sheet brass titles.

The South African Mint also made badges for Rhodesia. On a visit there many years ago, they had a small display of SA badges that they made and amongst them were Rhodesia Regt cap badges and Rhodesia titles.

Once Rhodesians had been deployed to East Africa during WW2 for that campaign many wore the General Service Lion and Tusk badge, some of which were made locally in Nairobi by a bloke called Wali Mahomed. These were all cast badges. Have attached an example with the makers mark stamped on the reverse. This bloke also made badges for SA and British units based there.

Must say that I have never come across an LRDG badge made in the Keays style and would love to see one!!