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Old 07-08-17, 07:59 AM
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fairlie63 fairlie63 is offline
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Location: Claremont, Tasmania
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The example in the RASigs Museum belonged to the collection of MAJ EJ Millett MBE, and was presented to the Signals Museum in 1997 by Mr Haydn Vesty according to the interpretation on the display.

EJ Millett was an officer of the Australian Army Ordnance Corps and is unlikely to have ever worn this badge.

It was never an issue badge in the Australian army, it was privately purchased by those who wore it and was not restricted to instructors at LHQ School of Signals. I have a photograph of a uniform of a member of an AIF trench mortar battery 1917-19 which is still in the possession of the family and which bears this badge. I also have a black and white photo of members of Tasmania L of C Area Signals late 1942 or early 1943 in which one corporal who appears to wear a miniature Merchant Navy or RN colour patch, also seems to have the enamelled crossed flags above his chevrons on the right arm.

In short, anybody in the Australian army who wore this badge did so unofficially and entirely at his own expense (or perhaps that of regimental or canteen funds).

Keith
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