SSB BADGE FRAME.jpg
The Special Service Battalion was and is still known for its exceptionally high standard of discipline both during training and operations. I have a substantial collection of both badges and militaria to them as my grandfather served as a senior NCO with the unit both in South Africa and in Italy. I do not see this quality of badge being worn by any member of the unit as it would not have been conducive to the high standards of discipline that was expected and enforced. Some sources refer to the discipline as being "severe". Officer's had gilt mess dress badges and would not have worn a cast badge on their headdress. In my 34 years of collecting to the SSB, I have not come across a cast badge and this is the first example that I have seen. It may have been struck in North Africa where the 6th SA Division did its final training before embarking for Italy.