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-   Photographs of South African Servicemen and Women Wearing Insignia (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=100)
-   -   Two South African soldiers,1945,Boston,Lincolnshire. (https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65729)

Voltigeur 17-12-17 07:00 PM

Two South African soldiers,1945,Boston,Lincolnshire.
 
© IWM (D 24671)

Two South African soldiers try their luck at a shooting game at the May Fair, Boston, Lincolnshire. Various items of Utility crockery can be seen on a table behind the counter, awarded as prizes if the target is hit.

Notice the shoulder title on the soldier on the left and small cap badge on the soldier on the right.

http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/44/871...at=photographs

Sonofacqms 17-12-17 08:39 PM

S. A. Sharpshooters
 
Jo, the soldier on the right looks like he is wearing an Africa star ribbon, not sure about the other one.

Rob

BWEF 18-12-17 12:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Voltigeur (Post 430405)
© IWM (D 24671)

Two South African soldiers try their luck at a shooting game at the May Fair, Boston, Lincolnshire. Various items of Utility crockery can be seen on a table behind the counter, awarded as prizes if the target is hit.

Notice the shoulder title on the soldier on the left and small cap badge on the soldier on the right.

http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/44/871...at=photographs

There is more than a fair chance that they are newly liberated from German POW camps. Many ex prisoners were air lifted to the UK and processed there.

In May 1945 the vast majority of South Africans in Europe were in their armoured division in Italy.

Voltigeur 18-12-17 02:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms (Post 430421)
Jo, the soldier on the right looks like he is wearing an Africa star ribbon, not sure about the other one.

Rob


I think you are right...probably a former North Africa veteran.Also, both seems th be wearing the orange shoulder strip.
Jo

loupie1961 03-03-18 01:41 PM

1 Attachment(s)
I am wondering whether they could be South Africans that had volunteered in the British Army, since it makes no sense for regular soldiers enrolled in the South African Army to wear a nationality sign other then the red tab or divisional insignia. Even a former POW would have had no reason to wear the South Africa nationality arc title. For reference, insignia worn on the comeback BD blouse of a SA POW that was captured in North Africa while serving with the Fourth South African Armoured Car regiment.

Voltigeur 03-03-18 03:32 PM

loopie,hopefully someone will come up with an answer....
Jo

Madziro 26-03-18 09:52 AM

South African signallers and engineers attached to the British Eighth Army in Italy wore South Africa national titles with SA badges and 8th Army flashes. My late father was a signaller in Italy and wore titles. I will post an image of his titles when I am back at the computer at home.

Voltigeur 26-03-18 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madziro (Post 439147)
South African signallers and engineers attached to the British Eighth Army in Italy wore South Africa national titles with SA badges and 8th Army flashes. My late father was a signaller in Italy and wore titles. I will post an image of his titles when I am back at the computer at home.


Thank you Madziro for the new information and,looking foprward to see the picture of the titles.
Cheers
Jo


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