Some old cloth collection in local British Legion
 

Snapped these on my mobile, a small framed collection of cloth badges, in the Huyton with Roby British Legion, sorry for quality of photo but may be of interest. I know very little about cloth items and wonder are there any 'GEMS' among them.

I believe the only rare item there is close to the centre of the frame - the blue/yellow pentagonal sign of the HQ Western Europe Commanders-in-Chief c 1949. The five links of the chain symbolise the five Western Union Powers of the Brussels Treaty (GB, France, Belgium, Holland and Luxembourg). It is mounted upside down - the upper single link should be horizontal.

HQ Western Europe C-in-C
 

I would agree with Mike that the HQ Western Europe C-in-C is a rare item. Here is some additional information from Badges on Battledress (2nd edition 1951) by Lt Col Howard Cole.

Tim

And an image:
Attachment 47594

Tony,
I was told some time ago that there is also a display of badges etc at the Runcorn British Legion, I keep on meaning to call there to see if it is still there and what it comprises.
Will get round to it one day.

Peter

Thanks Mike and GGA for your information on the chain badge.
Peter I wouldn't be surprised if most Legion clubs have some sort of modest collection, most likely donated by members or members families, no need to 'pay in' now in Huyton non-members welcome wonder if that applies nationwide?
Cheers Tony.

Please find attached my Western Union Army flash from my National service days. In 1950 I was posted to the British Embassy in Paris and was given the flash to wear. The WUA headquarters was at Fontainbleau where I saw Field Marshal Montgomery several times. In 1951 when SHAPE set up I was told to wear the SHAPE flas, which I did for two daysthen told to take it off as I would be issued with the War Office flash. But before this could happen I was told to put my old WU Army flash back on which I wore untilde mobbed in March 1952. I managed to hang on to my flash as they were being ripped off the jackets. So I officially wore the flash although the WU Army had ceased to when intergrated into SHAPE. By the way I was the only National Service man at the Embassy, the other three were regulars, Guess who did all the work?

Is that a Home Guard arm band Tony.

Simon.

Hello R-W1,
nice clean patch for its age, the one in the frame has seen better times, excuse my ignorance but what is or was SHAPE ?
Cheers Tony.

Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe

Hello Simon,
yes it is a Home Guard arm band and on the other side of the frame is a Local Defence Volunteers arm band, I'm sure they came before the HG.
Cheers Tony.

Ah thanks Mike.
Tony.

Thought so. There's a framed set on HG on Ebay at the moment. Thought about going for it. Nice framed collection there Tony. Oh, and thanks again on the Black Watch.

Simon

Oh, by the way. What would the period of use be for the Imperial pattern one. I was about to go for one with the laurels, and found pout that was WW2. I hope I can put this one in the WW1 collection.

Simon.

Simon,
missed this one I know this is the pre laurel pattern and has the die flaw to the sphinx a known original type. If WW1 I can't say.
Best Regards Tony.