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#1
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Major's slip on: 6th Gurkha Rifles?
I have recently purchase a small lot of insignia, comprehensive of a printed canvas 43r Gurkha Lorried Infantry Brigade sign and an epaulette slip on with the Major's crown in black, back clothed in red, with a green strip. Not sure if the two insignia were meant to come form the same person (obviously the 43r Gurkha Brigade is unworn), but should it be the case, could the slip on could be connected to some Gurkha Rifles Battalion, e.g. 6th Gurkha Rifles? Thnak you in advance for your knwoledge, gentlemen!
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#2
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I cannot answer the question, but would observe that I think the sign you illustrate may be the version of the 43 Gurkha Lorried Inf Bde sign that was adopted post_War by the Brigade of Gurkhas (after the disbandment of 43 Gurkha Lorried Inf Bde). The Brigade of Gurkhas was the collective name given to all the Gurkha Regiments which joined the British Army after the Independence of India. Both my examples of the sign of 43 Gurkha Lorried Inf Bde are embroidered on felt and are in that strange four-sided shape adopted by 31 Indian Armd Div (below). Mike
31 Indian Armd Div.02.jpg |
#3
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hello Mike, I was referring to what is usually known as the 43rd Independent Gurkha Infantry Brigade or 43rd Gurkha Lorried Infantry Brigade, right enough. I have always been convinced that the Brigade sign was the two crossed kukhris on a green rectangle, so I am to be corrected, as I see.
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#4
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#5
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#6
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43 Gurkha Lorried Inf Bde
My two examples. Both appear to be almost identical in terms of manufacture (the lower one may have been worn). However, and curiously, one is left over right; the other right over left. I wonder why? Mike
43 Gurkha Lorried Inf Bde.01.jpg |
#7
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Aren't all Gurkha badges with crossed kukri's, with the exception of the 6th Queen Elizabeth's Own, left over right?
Rgds, Thomas |
#8
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So the simple answer is no. There are variants of badges in all Regiments where the blades cross right over left. The rationale is not entirely clear - sometimes it appears to be just a different manufacturer at a local level, sometimes right over left is the preferred design for a short period of time - there doesn't appear to be any "custom" or "martial explanation" as to why the majority are left over right, I suspect it's just seen as aesthetically more pleasing ? Tim
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#9
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still no explanation for the green strip on the Major's epaulette?
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#10
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A company indicator, different coloured or shaped tabs worn by companies within battalions on shoulder straps, jungle hats eg in Malaya?
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#11
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that sounds quite convincing, it's a likely explanation, thank you!
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#12
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In "The British Soldier in the 20th Century no. 6, Tropical Uniforms", Mike Chappell shows an illustration (page 16) of a Corporal of 1/6th Ghurkas in Malaya wearing "the distinctive "Ghurka" JG" as a barrack quarter-guard.
The figure wears the 48th Ghurka Bde white crossed kukris on red sign on his shirt, & also black metal shoulder title "6GR"on a green strip - sure enough, he states it's a "company shoulder slide". |
#13
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I have a list of the colours for the 6th GR and a green strip would have been worn by D Company underneath a black metal title "6GR" - any evidence that a metal shoulder title was worn on it? Tim
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#14
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Chappell's illustrations show the metal "6GR" title mounted on the green strip but he shows no photo of this.
The shoulder strap in post no. 1 is presumably that of OC "D" Coy then? |
#15
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Quote:
Rgds, Thomas. |
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