Luxembourg 'in exile' shoulder titles

[Brigade Piron]

Hello,

This may be a long shot, but it's worth the try.

During WW2, about 50 Luxembourgers escaped to Britain during the occupation of their country, and were formed into their own Field Battery, incorporated into the Belgian Brigade Piron.


Battledress of the Luxembourg Field Battery

Now, I've noticed that nationality titles for places like Trinidad, Argentina etc. are *reasonably* common, and if anything, fewer soldiers from those countries would have served in England - presumably they were over-ordered by the War Office.

Is the same true of the red-on-brown Luxembourg title? Does anyone have one in their collection?

All the best,

BP

[Mike Jackson]

Presumably this is a later and less uncommon variation on the title you illustrated? What is the breast badge on the BD Blouse?
Luxembourg_Title.01.jpg

[Brigade Piron]

That's a variation of the badge, same dates I believe, though I have no references for that. Is that type obtainable?

The pocket badge is just the Corps Charlotte badge (like my avatar) though I expect that that battledress as a whole is a fake. The Piron Brigade formation badge on it is certainly dated to the 1950s...

[badjez]

I cannot assist you regarding the title on your BD, but Army Council Instructions provide detail on the titles worn by Auxiliaries in the ATS who were recruited from overseas.
= = =

30.09.42. ACI 2082: Allied Nationals- wearing of designations. Amendment to ACI 767 of 1942. Insert ‘Luxemburg- ¼” pale buff lettering on a rectangle of khaki cloth 3/8” wide’.

25.11.42. ACI 2494: Allied Nationals- wearing of designations. ACI 767, 1206 & 2082 of 1942 cancelled. New Instructions issued:
1. Approval given for ATS personnel recruited in the UK from nationals of countries listed to wear the appropriate designations on their uniforms.
2. These titles to be worn on both sleeves of SD, BD and greatcoats, sewn on at the top of each sleeve immediately below the shoulder seams and above formation badges where these are authorised.
3. Approval will apply equally whether auxiliary is a sole member of a platoon or the whole platoon originates from the particular country.
4. In each case the lettering will be ¼” on a rectangular background 3/8” deep. The designations will take the following forms:

Nationality Lettering Background
USA Pale buff Khaki
Belgium Pale buff Khaki
Czechoslovakia Red Khaki
Denmark White Red
Holland Pale buff Khaki
Luxemburg Pale buff Khaki
Poland White Red

To be provided at wearer’s expense. Polish and Czechoslovakian designations to be indented for from RAOC stocks.
= = =

I presume therefore that apart from Polish and Czech titles all others were manufactured privately. In view of this it seems unlikely that huge stocks would have been released by Ordnance of any titles except Polish and Czech.
I've always suspected that the majority of the titles are copies.

Stephen.

[Luc]

They appear similar to these two.

Regarding availability; interesting question. Not sure about Trinidad but Argentina showed up pretty late so perhaps war had ended by the time they were ready for issue?

[SAS1]

I guess you are referring only to Army. I know that in the RAF a Luxemburg/Luxembourg title was authorised, even though there were apparently only three from that country officially serving.

[Luc]

From Jean Bouchery "Allies in battle dress": "Luxembourg titles in white on brown at the top of the sleeves. These titles were removed when the Luxemburgers were assigned to the 1st Belgium brigade and were not, therefore, worn during the NW Europe campaign."
Also: "considered as deserters by the German authorities, these men wore no national insignia and in general adopted false names to avoid reprisal in the event of their being taken prisoner." The same practice of adopting false names was followed by many German jews serving in the British army.

[Ian Adams]

lux.jpgThis is a nice title but era unknown to me.

[Luc]

A Luxembourg shoulder title sold recently on ebay for 131 GBP:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1st-Belgiu...-/302046276979
It appears to be identical to the one shown in the original post. However, given the information posted earlier, I do not believe it was worn in WW2.

[stef]

It was a good original title, unfortunatly I was outbid.
These titles were used by the men of "C troop" of the 1st Belgian field artillery battery in the Free Belgian army "Brigade Piron" that was made up mostly by Luxembourg volunteers.

Black "paper" backside is typical for the UK fabrication, I have several Belgium titles like these.

[3battalion]

The attached badge was described as a Luxenburg Volunteers badge.

Any ideas?

Paul

[Luc]

Originally Posted by 3battalion

The attached badge was described as a Luxenburg Volunteers badge.

I've seen it too Paul but I decided not to bid as I could not find any backup for it.

[3battalion]

Thanks Luc.

Certainly unusual and would've stood out on a uniform if it was military.

Paul

[Luc]

There is currently a Corps Charlotte cap badge on ebay, PM me if anyone is interested.