18th infantry division flashes

[JerryBB]

Look good to me but not so commonly seen because of the fate of the Division being sent into Singapore just weeks before its surrender and most went into the bag for the duration.

Includes 3x mint unused and a uniform removed pair.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/18th_I...United_Kingdom)

[JerryBB]

Some more pics if anyone is interested to see these uncommonly found patches.

[manchesters]

Jerry,

I am only a dabbler in WW2 cloth but from what I can see they look great.

regards

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by manchesters

Jerry,

I am only a dabbler in WW2 cloth but from what I can see they look great.

regards

Thanks Simon,

I had no doubts on them, I posted them because they are not seen very often and thought some here would like to see them, perhaps I was wrong or they were happy to look but had nothing to comment. Perhaps there was nothing to say.

[badjez]

Jerry,

The used pair look just like my pair, and I'm happy with them. I don't own an un-issued specimen (yet) so I cannot comment on them.

I know there are repro versions floating about. I tend to look at the direction of warp/weft in the cloth. The Calico Printers Association Ltd who made most of the printed insignia used to print at a diagonal to the way the material was made, giving badges a diagonal line look to the threads. Most repro stuff tends to have warp/weft at right angles to the printed design. Additionally, original designs tended to bleed through to the reverse whereas modern badges don't have the reverse image visible.

Stephen.

[JerryBB]

Originally Posted by badjez

Jerry,

The used pair look just like my pair, and I'm happy with them. I don't own an un-issued specimen (yet) so I cannot comment on them.

I know there are repro versions floating about. I tend to look at the direction of warp/weft in the cloth. The Calico Printers Association Ltd who made most of the printed insignia used to print at a diagonal to the way the material was made, giving badges a diagonal line look to the threads. Most repro stuff tends to have warp/weft at right angles to the printed design. Additionally, original designs tended to bleed through to the reverse whereas modern badges don't have the reverse image visible.

Stephen.

Hi Stephen,

Thanks, all the sets are printed on the diagonal and as can be seen the design is visible on the reverse. As I posted I was happy all were good but it is always better if others are willing and able to add confirmation.

It is appreciated.

[Mike Jackson]

A splendid collection of 18 Inf Div signs. I do not have access to the reference at the moment but some 25 years ago in a letter from and RE Sgt and veteran of R Force who told me that the formation signs of both 18 Inf Div and 76 Inf Div were both used for deception purposes. He sent me two printed and mint 76 Inf Div signs that he and the other members of his "Special" (ie deception) Coy RE were issued with shortly before D Day. In the event they did not wear them in Normandy but they did simulate 76 If Div's presence there (actually at about the same time 76 Inf Div was being disbanded in England). He didn't see the 18 Inf Div sign being worn in his time in R Force, but believed that the sign (he referred to it as the "windmill" was worn mid-War. An early example of the 18 Inf Div sign being worn. Mike
18 Inf Div_alfred king 1 commando 4.jpg

[JerryBB]

Thanks Mike and an interesting extra bit of history.

[fearnaught]

Hi Mike, any significance in the sign being circular? Best wishes Mike

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by fearnaught

Hi Mike, any significance in the sign being circular? Best wishes Mike

I have often wondered. This is a member of 5 (or 6) Royal Norfolks in 53 Inf Bde. Given that all these badges are being worn on a greatcoat I believe that either the Cpl in the image got his nimble fingered mother or wife to put the flashes together at home or, alternatively, a group of soldiers has a greatcoat badged up and loaned it to those having portrait photos taken. The 18 Inf Div sign looks to me as if it is a combination of embroidered design on appliqued felt. The circular format have been copied from a vehicle sign.
Also on the subject of 18 Inf Div signs, I seem to recall seeing the stage play "The Long and the Short and the Tall" in Streatham c 1959 the cast were badged 18 Inf Div. Mike