231st Independent Infantry Brigade Group

[Phill Lockett]

Hi Mike

I did a little research over the net but could not locate any info regarding what the Bde(s) could of used.

However I did come across 8th Bn Kings Own Royal(Lancaster)Regiment- Western Command-4th Malta Bde, and note they wore their own CST and FS(?). Maybe all the units followed suite and that the numbered Bde's used a standard Maltese cross on a shield at HQ level and the numbered Bde were just that on paper?
Malta Garrison 1942:
https://forum.axishistory.com//viewtopic.php?t=82303

Kings Own Royal Regiment.
http://www.kingsownmuseum.com/gallerywwtwo002.htm

Anyway you have raised a good point!!

Phill

[Mike Jackson]

Thanks. In 1943 8 King's Own had moved from 231 Inf Bde (Aug 41 - May 42), thence to 234 Inf Bde (May 42 - Jan 43) and then to 232 Inf Bde (Jan - Oct 43) and to 233 Inf Bde (Oct-Nov 43). The flash below the shoulder title is a battalion flash exclusive to 8 King's Own (other battalions wore the same colours - blue and yellow - in different formats eg square divided diagonally and disc divided horizontally. The shoulder titles worn by this battalion are of interest - unofficial, yellow on blue THE KING'S OWN. The Battalion obviously ignored edicts from London that such titles were no longer to be worn. Mike

[GTB]

For what it's worth.
Each of the four wartime KOMR (King's Own Malta Regiment) battalions had its own formation sign:
1st Bn - triangle, divided vertically white and red / red and white (left and right patterns)
2nd Bn - diamond, divided vertically white and red.
3rd Bn - square, divided vertically white and red.
10th Bn - inverted triangle, divided horizontally white (top) and red (bottom)

GTB

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by GTB

For what it's worth.
Each of the four wartime KOMR (King's Own Malta Regiment) battalions had its own formation sign:
1st Bn - triangle, divided vertically white and red / red and white (left and right patterns)
2nd Bn - diamond, divided vertically white and red.
3rd Bn - square, divided vertically white and red.
10th Bn - inverted triangle, divided horizontally white (top) and red (bottom)

GTB

Many thanks. Do you have any examples that you would be willing to share here? Mike

[GTB]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Many thanks. Do you have any examples that you would be willing to share here? Mike

Alas, no! I wish I did. They would already have been uploaded to the Forum.

GTB

[GTB]

Originally Posted by GTB

Top - 231st Inf Bde; felt & embroidered,shield pattern; worn singly.

Bottom - Royal Malta Artillery (Territorials), 1960s; square, printed versions, pair; worn on both shoulders of KD uniform

GTB

Further to my previous scans, I am posting a felt & embroidered patch (officers) together with an unused printed patch (ORs). Note that although the officers patch is used, it's colour is far brighter than the faded red shade of the printed version, which has its original colour.

GTB

[KOMalta]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Many thanks. Do you have any examples that you would be willing to share here? Mike

komrpage.jpg