Canadian Jump Wings
Badge # 785 from Plate 56 of the first edition of Bragg & Turner is actually a drawing of an English manufactured Canadian wing, identified by Ken Joyce as the Type 6 Canadian para wing. These were produced in 1944 in England as a private purchase badge, and while not allowed, there is photographic evidence that troops of 1 Can Para wore them on walking out dress and the Dennison smocks. The backing colour of the cloth was lighter than the official dark green backing of other Canadian types, and the badges are found with minor variations. They have been reproduced in the past.
These badges have also been described as "SOE wings". Certain Canadian members of SOE did purchase this wing for wear on their uniform upon return to England in 1944. However, it was not produced for them, it just happened to be handy.
The wing in the opening post does conform to a Type 8 wing as shown in Joyce's two books, "Into The Maelstrom" and "Jump Wings". As for the different backing material, I can only speculate that it was done unofficially, as the pattern for the Canadian para qual had been set officially in 1942.
Ian
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The day the government succeeds in taking away our dress uniforms, badges and colours, and all the so called "non-functional" items; they will find themselves with an army that cannot defend them. Robert Heinlein, "Starship Troopers"
Last edited by Ian B; 15-01-21 at 06:12 PM.
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