Officer pip backing colour 7th Bn PR
 

Hi all,
Can anyone confirm for me that the 7th Batallion Parachute Regiment had the standard sky blue backings to officer pips in the SWW or did their light infantry status mean they used a different colour?
Cheers,
Burton

Sky blue or light infantry green? Anyone?

I don’t know but as the Parachute Regiment was part of the Army Air Corps and was presecibed sky blue rank backing, I would have expected that to apply to the 7th Bn as much as to other battalions. After all, line infantry officers would normally wear red backed pips but had to change to sky blue when serving with the Parachute Regiment, so it was not unusual to change such aspects of dress. The 7th Bn had a green diamond badge backing to celebrate their soldiers Light Infantry origins but used the same Parachute Regiment beret badge as all the other battalions, as well as all the other standard Para Regt dress distinctions such as shoulder titles and Pegasus formation signs.

Thanks Colin, much as I suspected. I have a named 7th Bn blouse that I'd like to restore the pips to, and I want to get it right.:)

7th.para bn.
 

Pictures of my 7th. bn. battledress jacket showing blue pips and green lanyard> john

Was it possible to be awarded the France and Germany, Africa, Italy and 1939 star and defence medal, without qualifying for the war medal?
Kind regards,
Sean

The ribbon bar pre dates the actual medals.

Do realise that altering an original blouse will have its historical (and monetary) value diminished.

Rgds, Thomas

regarding the images posted of 7th Battalion , Parachute Regiment, there is cause for concern. medal ribbons are present which would indicate post May 1945 wear. although never say never, the presence of the AIRBORNE strip is problematical in view of the fact that an issuance order was instigated in December 1944 ? ceasing its wear. notwithstanding that, the Pegasus and Airborne strip appear to be non-OEM.

OEM
 

I do not know what OEM means, John.

In industry it means 'Original Equipment Manufacture' or in the military 'As Per Approved Patton'

Officers pips
 

Firstly the original poster asked what coloured pips a member of the 7th. bn. should have, I posted up my jacket but never had a thankyou. This is happening all too often.
Secondly, the wearing of the Airborne strip was questioned, If you search previous posts in this forum you will get your answer.I have now found out what oem means and I am beginning to wonder if it is worth replying to any questions if all you get is a carping repsonse from some members.Joh n.

Patton?:confused:

The way I perceive it is that it is implied that your Pegasus and Airborne strip are fakes, are they? I don't see anything wrong with discussing (possible) fakes.

Rgds, Thomas

I fully agree, that is not an original badge.