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  #1  
Old 04-06-17, 11:11 PM
Phill Lockett's Avatar
Phill Lockett Phill Lockett is offline
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Default 231st Independent Infantry Brigade Group

Hi there

I have noticed there are several variations of 231st Formation sign.

Are these attributed to the various title and order of battle changes?

The shield shape (recently won) theatre made Malta or Italy?.

Square point down shield (from the internet).

Square shaped IWM INS 6152

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30072097

cheers

Phill
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 231st Bde.jpg (92.3 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg 231st Infantry Bde reverse.jpg (53.9 KB, 1 views)
File Type: jpg 231st Infantry Bde.jpg (44.1 KB, 5 views)
File Type: jpg 231st Inf. Bde#3.jpg (10.8 KB, 3 views)

Last edited by Phill Lockett; 05-06-17 at 01:16 AM.
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  #2  
Old 05-06-17, 01:14 AM
lettman lettman is offline
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I've always liked the 231st sign -- here are mine: one very 'regular' and the other more 'homemade'.
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File Type: jpg 231st 1 001.jpg (37.7 KB, 13 views)
File Type: jpg 231st 2 001.jpg (45.4 KB, 9 views)
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  #3  
Old 05-06-17, 04:58 AM
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Given that 231 Inf Bde served in Malta, Sicily, North Africa and Italy (and eventually in NW Europe) there was ample scope for signs to be locally procured - there are myriad detailed variations. I believe that the embroidered felt and printed square format sign is that of the post-WW2 Malta Garrison. Mike
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Old 05-06-17, 05:17 AM
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Default 231 Inf Bde

Here is the sign being worn on the right arm only (?) by the Bde Comd, Brig Roy Urquhart late HLI. Image taken in Sicily c Aug 43.
231 Inf Bde _ Brig Roy Urquhart late HLI_Sicily.jpg
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Old 05-06-17, 05:50 AM
Phill Lockett's Avatar
Phill Lockett Phill Lockett is offline
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Thanks Mike


With the different title changes would or could that refer to the shape of the design used?(Howard Cole Formation badges).
Malta Infantry Brigade.
Southern Infantry Brigade.
1st Malta Infantry Brigade.
231st Infantry Brigade.
231st Independent Infantry Brigade.

Thanks also to lettman for showing more examples.

Phill
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  #6  
Old 05-06-17, 07:46 AM
lettman lettman is offline
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Potentially you could provide a different label for each variant. The ideal collector's item!
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  #7  
Old 05-06-17, 07:53 AM
lettman lettman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Jackson View Post
Given that 231 Inf Bde served in Malta, Sicily, North Africa and Italy (and eventually in NW Europe) there was ample scope for signs to be locally procured - there are myriad detailed variations. I believe that the embroidered felt and printed square format sign is that of the post-WW2 Malta Garrison. Mike
Actually, I just checked some sources and find that the postwar Malta Garrison sign had a central black band across the red shield with a small Maltese Cross on it. See Cole, Badges on Battledress, 1953 edn, p.50.
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Old 05-06-17, 08:01 AM
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Mike Jackson Mike Jackson is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lettman View Post
Actually, I just checked some sources and find that the postwar Malta Garrison sign had a central black band across the red shield with a small Maltese Cross on it. See Cole, Badges on Battledress, 1953 edn, p.50.
I believe that this was the HQ sign - units wore the Maltese Cross on a red square. Mike
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Old 05-06-17, 08:43 AM
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Here are a couple from my collection - the faded red felt seems to be typical of many of these signs. Mike
231 Inf Bde.01.jpg
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Old 05-06-17, 12:26 PM
lettman lettman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Jackson View Post
I believe that this was the HQ sign - units wore the Maltese Cross on a red square. Mike
OK, I see the distinction. But it all boils down to a very interesting sign with lots of variations.
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