26th Gurkha Brigade
 

Dear all,

I was told that the above mentioned Brigade had once related with the 40th Infantry Division while saw service in Hong Kong. Any of our member have knowledge on this Brigade ?

Is the badge image attached belongs to this Brigade ? Any formation sign ?

Have a nice day !

Warmest regards,

Bruno

26 Gurkha Bde: Oct 46 redesignation of 6 Inf Bde, 2 Inf Div. Jul 48 26 Gurkha Bde formed in Hong Kong. 26 Gurkha Bde joined 40 Inf Div when the Division was formed in Hong Kong in Jun 49. As at Dec 49 comprised 1 Buffs, 2/6 GR and 2/10 GR. From Hong Kong to Malaya 7 Apr 50 with 1 Cameronians, 2/6 GR, 2/10 GR. As at Dec 50 26 Gurkha Bde was in South Malaya District Seremban) with 13/18 H (-), 1 Green Howards, 1/6 GR, 1/7 GR, 1 Malay Regt and 26 Fd Regt RA. 26 Gurkha Bde moved to Hong Kong Apr 52 and returned to Malaya in Sep 52 as 26 Indep Gurkha Bde. As at Apr 53 26 Gurkha Bde was in 17 Gurka Div with 1 Cameronians, 2/6 GR, 1 Malay Regt, 1 Fijian Regt. By Apr 57 was still in 17 Gurkha Div with Sqn KDG, 2/2 GR, 2/6 GR and 7 Malay Regt.(and lost without trace thereafter!) Comd as at Apr 52 was Brig (later Maj Gen) LHO Pugh. Mike

I think the badge you have is said to be to the 26th Gurkhas , a war raised unit disbanded soon after, Kevin

Thanks again Mike. Any formation sign that 26 Gurkha Brigade ever have ?

Cheers,

Bruno

Thanks Kevin, do you have any item that related to this Brigade ?

Cheers,

Bruno

Bruno, I collect Indian badges including Gurkha , I have a couple of albums on the forum but no swaps or duplicates, regards Kevin

The badge you have shown is for the 26th Gurkha Rifles, this was a 'garrison' unit comprising of those deemed to old or unfit for front line duty. its sister unit is the 25th GR.
Both units badges are widely faked.

regards

Steve

Thanks Steve for your information. I am only interest to formation sign, the image that posted was from ebay.

Regards,

Bruno

As far as I know there is no evidence that a formation sign was ever allocated to or worn by 26 Gurkha Bde. There have been occasional rumours over the last 30 + years that a sign of white crossed kukris on a mid blue rectangle was that of 26 Gurkha Bde, but there is nothing I know of that substantiates that. I've seen several examples of that sign, but none were Ordnance issue (as per 48, 63 and 99 Gurkha Bdes' printed signs). Mike

Mike,

I never seen an example of the one that you've mentioned. Any existed example that you can show me. Many thanks !

Cheers,

Bruno

I was researching 1/SWB who served with 26th Gurkha Bde during the Malaya Emergency and found a few threads.

In a book 1/SWB are shown wearing crossed Kukris on a cloth patch though the pics are B&W so the colour can't be seen.(pics are from image of wales, the south wales borderers (24th regiment of foot) compiled by Martin Everett for the swb museum 1999 Tempus publishing Ltd.).


I notice in this thread and some others that no sign is known for 26th Bde. though in this thread linked below two former members say they wore the green backed version whilst serving with 26th Bde.

I wonder what colour would have been worn by 1/SWB whilst they served with the Bde as shown in the pictures?

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ivision&page=3

I also have copied and pasted the two comments for ease.

Hi,Arthur,I served with 26 Gurkha inf bde,from early 1953 to aug 1955,the unit did have a bde patch which was the cross Kukries on a green background.The Bde was part of 17 Div in Seremban,and was stationed in Kluang where I first joined them.It was not long afterwards that we became,a mobile headquarters ,supporting operational unit close to the area of operations,in such places as Kual Lipis,Bukit Betong,Bidor,Kuala pilah,and finaly we marched from Kuala pilah to Seremban,the whole unit took part in thismarch.We did at the end of the day ended up staying at rasah camp where I eventualy returned home.Hope this helps Edward

&

Hi all, yes agree with Edward, green background with crossed kukris was indeed 26 Bde. I served in Malaya 56 to 59 and wore that patch on one arm and the flaming ars----- on the other arm. I was billeted in 58/59 at HQ 26 Gurkha Inf Bde at Segamat. This was a permanent camp with bashas, not those terrible godolphins that I was in at Jamentah.

Still got a couple of my flashes and a few badges etc. Willj.

Very useful information - many thanks. In the photograph it appears that the crossed kukri sign was worn on both arms by 1 SWB at that time (Cpl on the right arm and Lt on the left). Presumably the sign of North Malaya District (below) was the "flaming axxxhole" referred to? Not to be confused with the sign of 29 Inf Bde in Korea which was referred to as the same part of the anatomy - but frozen.
Attachment 159620

It does seem to show them being worn on both arms by 1/SWB. I'll have to add a flaming arrrrsssse hole to my collection one day:D

1 SWB - Malaya 1955-1958
 

This is well worth reading - a remarkable effective Battalion, especially given the rapid turnover on National Service soldiers - some 1,500 men served in the Battalion between 1955 and 1958. Did the CO not write a book about this tour entitled "Shoot to Kill"? Mike

http://www.royalwelsh.org.uk/downloa...a1955-1958.pdf

Thanks Mike.

There is a fuller account in the regimental history of the Royal Regiment of Wales by J M Brereton and you are correct Richard Miers wrote what is said to be a wonderful account. Adding it to my to get list!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Shoot-Kill-.../dp/B0000CKD9A