I am creating an authentic infantry uniform as would have been worn by my grandfather:
Pte 6019942 JW Morris
2/5th Bn. Essex Regiment
18th Indian Infantry Bde.
8th Indian Div.
North Africa 1941-1942
I have an original WD issued shirt, shorts and equipment as would have been worn in North Africa, and also the following cloth insignia:
1) two printed formation badges of the 8th Indian division.
2) two printed Essex regiment shoulder titles
3) two 8th army badges too.
Evidence say that the division was transferred to the 10th Army - so is this correct to have 8th army insignia?
Do I need infantry flashes?
Were there any insignia worn (or even produced) for the 18th Indian Infantry Brigade?
I am not sure how/where/if these insignia would have been worn on the shirt either away from the front line or in combat. (Indeed would insignia have been worn in combat?)
Can anyone show me how/where they would have been worn?
My granddad was captured on 1st July 1942 where the whole battalion was destroyed, and he spent the rest of the war interned in Italy and subsequently in Stalag IVG near Dresden. The decimation of the 2/5th led to it being disbanded in November 1942