Is this a divisional patch ?

[natal01]

This felt patch turned up yesterday among some shoulder flashes that had belonged to the late OC of the Durban North Commando ( South Africa ) . Can anyone identify it ?
Many thanks
Mike

[leigh kitchen]

Irish army, 4 Brigade, although I would think it's been used with other formation names.

[natal01]

Hi Leigh,
Now that is interesting. One starts to wonder why the OC of a South African Commando unit would have kept this Irish Div. patch. His name was Kennedy , so that could give you some indication. As far as is known , Kennedy wasnt in the Irish Army, but one of his men might have been and he gave the patch to his OC because of the Irish connection ( real or perceived)
I did some basic internet searching and see that some of the men of the 4th Brigade saw service in the Congo in the 1960s , so maybe this is the African connection.
The patch seems to have been sewn into what looks like a very busy camouflage material ( see attached)
Thanks for the identification.
Regards
Mike

[leigh kitchen]

Intriguing, I wonder what uniform that camo pattern tallies with?
I have an idea that this badge may have been Western Command back in the 1960s (apart from an old pair of air force patches the only Irish Republic "badge" I have is that of Curragh Command later used by a training centre, stencilled on a Mk IV or Mk V helmet. I'm unsure whether the red banded helmet was used by military police or perhaps guard fire piquet).

[leigh kitchen]

I've read reference to but havn't actually seen a photograph of Col Pat Quinn of 35th Battalion wearing a Western Command sign on his shirt in the Congo in late 1961.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

I've read reference to but havn't actually seen a photograph of Col Pat Quinn of 53th Battalion wearing a Western Command sign on his shirt in the Congo in late 1961.

Found a photo of Commandant Pat Quinlan (35th Battalion) , is this who you mean ?

[leigh kitchen]

Yes, that may well be the photo in question, if so then it was taken after his relief from captivity following the Siege of Jadotville and dates from between October - December.
He's wearing the Western Command sign on his left sleeve.
(Just noticed my typo "53th" Battalion).

[mike_vee]

Photo was from newspaper article.

Jadotville hero is honoured on the Ring of Kerry


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