Rough Riders

[Tommo]

Hi,

I hope some of you can help me on this. I've so far not been able to find an answer to this question on the Rough Riders (RA) who were in the Airborne in the war.

While some of the unit fought in Normandy (2 or 3 Gliders I think), the rest of the unit stayed behind and conducted Parachute Training.

Now my question is, would they have been awarded the Parachute Wings or Lightbulb Parachute badge?

Cheers.

[Mike Jackson]

Logic would dictate that as 2 AL AA Bty RA they would go to war by glider, accompanied by their guns and vehicles. Had the subunit been parachute capable that will have been reflected in its name. Quite why it was deemed necessary for them to be parachute trained I have no idea, but if as has been recorded they did complete a parachute course they will have been entitled to wear the "lightbulb". Over to the experts!

[Luc]

No parachute wings for 2nd bty since they were not parachuted into battle during D-day or Market Garden. The 2nd bty Rough Riders men could have worn the glider arm patch, if qualified.

[tynesideirish]

The Criteria for the award of a parachute brevet (Wings) was passing the required Parachute training course AND being a member of an active Airborne unit. Be it Parachute or Airlanding.
Certain specialist members of Airlanding artillery units like FOO Party's were required to jump in with the rest of the Brigade / Division. They didn't have to do combat jumps to qualify.

Also people sort of look down their noses at AL like it was a lesser thing. I was a Para and after talking with the old & bold, I'd much rather have jumped than ride a glider down to a LZ.

[Tommo]

But they were parachute trained and I should imagine they qualifed, would that not have earnt them the wings or lightbulb?