Red on Khaki cloth S/T

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Guys

Who wore these Army, Air Force or Navy? WW2 or after?

Consulted a few books but cannot find this one.

Brian

[milhistry]

I've read (or been told, I can't remember!) that it was worn by South Africans serving with the British Forces in WWII. I have never seen a picture of them being worn though!
I think they are more likely to be nationality titles for South Africans serving in the RAF. On blue grey uniform, post 1941, nationality titles were light blue on blue-grey or light blue on black. You often see 'New Zealand' titles and occasionally 'Rhodesia' or 'South Africa'. In tropical areas, where khaki drill was worn, these titles were meant to be red on khaki. I have examples of 'New Zealand' in this red on khaki drill finish.
The badge you have posted however seems like a darker colour, maybe made for RAF Heavy Duty Dress (i.e. army battle dress). I have one of these too, so I'd be chuffed if someone can give a definitive answer on this one!

[Brian Conyngham]

It is a mystery, I know that the SAAF little Eagles for Flight Sergeants are red on Khaki, hence the interest in this piece.

Brian

[craigen]

Hi Brian

The Imperial War Museum (if I recall correctly but I am fairly sure it was them) has it identified as a title worn by SA members serving in the RAF during WWII.

Regards
Craig

[craigen]

OK, I found the online link:
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30078284

Very nice information about the title and related titles in the "History Note" and a reference to the blue-on-black title lower on the page.

Regards
Craig

[craigen]

On a related note and from the same site, the white lettering on khaki background was apparently the officers' variation.

[Brian Conyngham]

Craig

Thank you for this info, very interesting indeed. Just goes to show how much we don't know. Cloth S/Titles are a new interest for me.

A bit confusing as the link states "curved for officers" and now there is also a "white on Khaki" for officers? Would the curved relate to the ends of the title, as in my version, or just the curved shape? Rectangular sounds strange, how would a rectangular S/T be sown onto a uniform?

Brian

[Madziro]

Here are a couple of examples of the South Africa shoulder title. They were worn by South Africans attached to British army units / formations. The pale red / pink on khaki title with round edges was worn by my late father who was a SA signaller attached to the British 8th Army in North Africa and in Italy. He also wore 8th Army formation badges on his uniform as per attached photo.

When he was attached to British 5 Corps at one time he wore the 5 Corps flash.