The 7th Armoured divisional history says that the first formation sign was adopted in North Africa in 1943 and was the red rat on khaki. At the time the Middle East Forces order on formation signs specified that the sign should be the same shape as the shoulder strap ie narrower at the top but round versions also appeared as the examples show. The sign was worn by the division in Italy.
When the division returned to Britain the new badge was ordered with a black backing and the "kangaroo" rat. This continued to be worn well into the 1950s, several examples made in Germany.
The other mystery concerning the Divisional sign is the red rat within a red circle which followed the design of the divisional vehicle marking but as far as I have been able to establish this was never worn by the division on uniform although it has been suggested that it may have been worn on the tropical helmet. Several variations exist.
The only example of the early rat on uniform so far noted appears in the history of the 4th South African Armoured Car Regiment which records that on leaving 7th Armoured Division - with which it had served between July 1941 and December 1942 - it ‘was awarded the highest distinction the division could bestow, that of wearing its proud insignia – the Jerboa – the Desert Rat’. The regiment’s commanding officer is pictured in the history wearing it on his service dress.
Jon
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