56 London Division

[johnG]

Some years ago a formation sign, said to be for for 56 Div passed through my hands. It was not the usual 'Black Cat', with or without the sword, and I did not keep it. I soo regretted parting with it and have never seen another like it. If I remember correctly it was a red sword with a blue knight's helmet superimposed, all on a white background.

I believe the badge was in use only for a very short time, but can anybody please tell me when that would have been, and any other information about it.

Many thanks.

[evjebro]

Originally Posted by johnG

Some years ago a formation sign, said to be for for 56 Div passed through my hands. It was not the usual 'Black Cat', with or without the sword, and I did not keep it. I soo regretted parting with it and have never seen another like it. If I remember correctly it was a red sword with a blue knight's helmet superimposed, all on a white background.

I believe the badge was in use only for a very short time, but can anybody please tell me when that would have been, and any other information about it.

Many thanks.

Hi

I have it ID as he 56th (London) Armoured Division from 1947-68.

Cheers,
Ole

[johnG]

Many thanks for the ID, but it does puzzle me as I was in 56 Division from 1952 to 1956 and we wore the black cat with red sword superimposed.

My understanding of the Dick Whittington cat badge is that as an Infantry Division: No sword on cat. Armoured Division: Sword.

Thanks also for the proper description of 56 (London) Armoured Divison. I was pretty certain that is what it was called then but still remember meeting some pmpous old fool who went to great lengths to tell me I was wrong and it had never ever been anything but '56 London Division'

I was in a Lorried Infantry Brigade within the division. Could that have made a difference to the formation sign we wore. I think not, but just a passing thought.

[Cumbrian]

Hi
According to Rosignoli in his book, Army Badges and Insignia since 1945 (Book 1)

“In 1947 the 56th (London) Division became an armoured T.A. division and adopted a new emblem, the knight’s helmet and the sword, more suited to its new role. In 1950, however, the wartime badge, Dick Whittington’s Cat, was resumed, now with a sword superimposed on the cat.”

Hope this helps!

G…..

[grey_green_acorn]

According to "Badges on Battledress" by Lt Col Howard N Cole and published in1951:
With the reconstituion of the TA in 1947, the formation (56 London Divison since 1939) and an Infantry Division during WW2 was re-formed as an Armoured Division and adopted a new badge symbolic of its new role - a knight's helmet in blue superimposed on a sword in red, the design set on a white rectangle.

In 1950 the badge was changed and the Black Cat (worn in WW2) was reintroduced with the addition of a red sword set point uppermost on the back of the cat.

[rockape560]

hi john,

heres a page ffrom my album with the 54th armd div badge,hope this helps
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=18056

philip

[54Bty]

If worn in pairs, which way does the tail point?

[johnG]

Thanks for clearing that one up. I joined Inf Bn HAC in January 1952, and so wore the 'Cat with Sword'. And will now try to find a formation patch for the 'Knight's Badge' which preceeded it.

In answer to a query above, the tails pointed forwards when the formation signs were worn correctly - they often were not.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by johnG

In answer to a query above, the tails pointed forwards when the formation signs were worn correctly - they often were not.

Thank you.