I think it is a cuff from a blue patrol jacket, rather than mess dress. My suggestion would be that this belonged to an officer of the Welsh Guards (buttons in fives) promoted to Colonel or Brigadier. Keeps the buttons in fives to indicate past service and mixes the buttons on the cuff = the three 'Staff' buttons, a Welsh Guards button and the top button. Can't comment on the South African background of the first button, but given that this set up is 'quirky' perhaps it has been applied as being close to the cap badge of an officer of the Staff - the nearest at hand?
|