Canadian Brassard, 25th bde
 

Hello,

I've just received this brassard below which has raised a few questions:
http://britishbadgeforum.com/forums/...ictureid=70373

I assume that it is Korean War vintage - though I know the 25th bde badge was used by other UN formations later, as I understand it, the RCR was not deployed on any of those.

Also, could the type of brassard give any idea of the date? I remember seeing a Canadian Dental Corps pair of brassards of the same shape on this forum, but most do not seem to be of this type.

As I'm sure you can guess, Canadian badges are not by forte but it is always interesting to learn about new aspects of the hobby!

All best,

BP

No pic on this end. Cheers Brian

That's odd, but not the first time I've had problems with images hosted on this site.
Here is a link:
http://britishbadgeforum.com/forums/...ictureid=70373

Thanks for letting me know.
BP

No picture......
Jo

Maybe it is this one?

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ictureid=70373

Marc

That's the one - thought I'd posted a link earlier. I've also had a go a re-pasting the photo (does it work now?)

http://britishbadgeforum.com/forums/...ictureid=70373

Anyway, does anyone have a date for this type of brassard (with epaulettes)?

Brassard
 

It is of a similar shape to the Korean War pair that I have which are badged to the RCDC and the badges on your example are correct for the period. That being said, what you have to keep in mind is that a brassard like the one that you have is very generic for the 1950s and early 1960s period and could well have been worn in Canada or even on a UN mission.

I was fortunate that my RCDC pair came as a set and if they had not, I would just dismissed the brassard with the red UN shield as having come from any 1950s or early 1960s UN mission.

You have to understand the Canadian Army supply system for the post-War period; so even if the brassard were dated from the early 1950s, it may well have been badged in the 1960s.

It is a nice badged brassard, just linking it to the Korean War is tenuous at best.

Hello,

Thanks for your comments.

I am fortunate to know that the seller I got it from, got it as part of a larger lot (including bullion Commonwealth badges which I couldn't afford :mad:) so I think I can assume from that it dates from that period.

On another note, if the badge is the Canadian UN badge, wouldn't it only have been worn on UN missions? I'm no expert, but I cannot see another UN mission after Korea before the '80/90s by which time the badge would be obsolete?
http://theroyalcanadianregiment.ca/h...ince_1945.html

BP

A bit of confusion here. The red 25 Bde patch became a nationality patch worn by Canadians deployed on United Nations missions. This was (And on other international taskings.) It was usually worn on one side with the UN patch on the other. I am not sure if this practice started with the Suez deployment, but they were worn on other deployments like the Congo and Cyprus. Canada participated in virtually every UN mission during the 1950's through 1970's.

UN Missions
 

The smaller UN Missions in the 1950s had Canadian Staff Officers attached to them, so outside of the Korea threatre there are a few possible locations where this brassard could have worn.

As well, the holes in the should strap portion of the brassard reveal that the rank insignia worn with this item were the metal stars and crowns. This could also be an indicator of where this particular item was used.

You basically have to keep an open mind with material from this period and say "Okay it is correct for the period, but was it used in Korea; well perhaps, or maybe but you do not know for sure."

Thank you for your help,

The holes come from captain's pips (though it isn't clear in the photograph) - presumably the metal versions. Could this be a lead?

Bill - I know that Canada has a record for its UN deployments, however, I cannot see any mention in the regimental history for any RCR deployments with the UN for at least twenty years after Korea.

I'm trying to get a name out of the seller so we shall see, but like I say, it came in a lot of Korean War RCR stuff, so unless evidence is produced to the contrary that's good enough for me.

All best,
BP

The first UN deployment for a battalion of The RCR was 1RCR's mission in Cyprus in 1966-67. There is also the possibility of individual officers being employed as UN observers in the intervening period.