WW 1 56th Division

[Diehard57]

The battledress jacket belonged to a member of the either the 5th (Volunteer) Battalion, the Queens Regiment or a member of 10th (Territorial) Battalion, the Queens Regiment. Battledress was the issued 'best dress' in the TA in the late 1960's - in the case of the 10th Battalion BD was worn into the early 1970s. Hope this helps.

[gew8805]

I very much appreciate your information, sorry not to have seen it sooner.

[Mercian]

I have just come across this photo of a 56th Division helmet in the History of the 5th (Pioneer) Battalion the Cheshire Regiment.

[Drew]

Thanks, Mercian. I had read the description of this design but had never seen it before. I did wonder what it looked like.

Chris

[BWEF]

Here "Queens" possibly refers to the West Surreys, raised as the 2nd Foot in the 1660s. I believe that it was raised to garrison Tangier, which came as a part of the dowry of the then Queen. Catherine of Braganza.

I think the crown and sword is a latter pattern 54th division sign. No idea why the soldier is wearing that as well as the 56th sign though.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by gew8805

I recently purchased a Pattern 49 BD jacket with the post 1950 Black Cat with sword of the 56th Division, the tail goes to the rear. It is shown here:







The jacket is dated 1952 and it does seem a late usage of the P49 as the Queen's Regiment did not come into existence until December 31, 1966 if I am informed correctly. It is named (I prefer not to say to whom), but he was a member of D Company.

Can anyone tell me if the Crown pierced by the arrows on the right sleeve is the flash of the Queen's Regiment?

Thanks in advance for any information and corrections.

The formation sign on the right sleeve is the second pattern sign of 54 (East Anglian) Inf Div (TA) c early 1960s. Mike