I would imagine that I'm well out with this one, but is there a possibility that the badge may be blackened for wear by the "Palestinian Buffs", the Jewish and Arab companies formed in 1940 and attached to 1st Bn The East Kents until forming The Palestine Regiment in 1942?
They wore a bronzed shoulder title, which would have to be commissioned for production, but if they wore a darkened Buff's cap badge (I don't know if they wore Buff's cap badges) it would be a simple expedient to slap some black paint on badges rather than have them bronzed.
Or has the badge simply been blackened at some time as are those of other units for tactical reasons.
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