What Badge?

[brittenkelly]

I have another puzzler from my family files. Attached is a photo of my father, Private (later Bombardier) T.E. Britten-Kelly after completing artillery training in SA in 1942, and prior to deployment to North Africa with the 6th SA Armoured Division. I don't recognize the badge as an artillery badge. Any ideas?

[craigen]

Hi, that is a South African Air Force badge. I couldn't guess at how it might fit in with your dad's training or deployment though.

Was he by any chance in the Anti Aircraft?

Regards
Craig

[brittenkelly]

Originally Posted by craigen

Hi, that is a South African Air Force badge. I couldn't guess at how it might fit in with your dad's training or deployment though.

Was he by any chance in the Anti Aircraft?

Regards
Craig

Craig: yes, I think you have that right! He was first assigned to ack-ack duty in SA before being sent up north. His gun team used the QF 3.7 AA throughout the North African and Italian campaigns - it was usually set at a lower elevation for counter-battery fire.
I should correct myself, his rank at that time would have been Gunner, since he was an artilleryman. The shoulder tabs would of course have been orange to indicate volunteer status for overseas duty.
Thanks!