Light A.A. Brigade, R.A. Malta

[loupie1961]

A recent purchase: a formation sign sporting a Maltese cross divided in blue and yellow, outlined in white. Cole identifies it as Light A.A. Brigade, R.A. Malta, but what the about the fact that the flash is in woven silk? Postwar fabric? thank you in advance for your help!

[Mike Jackson]

What are the dimensions of the Maltese Cross please? It's an aid to identification and dating. Mike

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

What are the dimensions of the Maltese Cross please? It's an aid to identification and dating. Mike

approx. 3 cm each side

[Sunray9]

But is it a 'TRF' or a 'Formation Patch' ... I think we should be told !

Ritchie (Non Arabic speaking)

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Sunray9

But is it a 'TRF' or a 'Formation Patch' ... I think we should be told !

Ritchie (Non Arabic speaking)

If it was in wear before 2003 it is not a TRF.

If it is British and not used to repair a hole in clothing then it is a 'Formation Badge' or in some cases a 'Regimental Flash'. However if it is used to repair clothing or is an American item then it could be a 'Patch'.

Marc (Arabic speaking (some) but not reading)

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Sunray9

But is it a 'TRF' or a 'Formation Patch' ... I think we should be told !

Ritchie (Non Arabic speaking)

Ritchie, as a non native speaker, I tend to adhere to the British standard of English (one of my grandmothers was born in Oxford...): therefore, for me is English (hopefully) spoken, American understood!

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by loupie1961

A recent purchase: a formation sign sporting a Maltese cross divided in blue and yellow, outlined in white. Cole identifies it as Light A.A. Brigade, R.A. Malta, but what the about the fact that the flash is in woven silk? Postwar fabric? thank you in advance for your help!

The distinct white border is unusual. I have a regimental flash apparently identical in size and style of manufacture but with the outline in red which is attributed the post-WW2 50 HAA Regt RA. The same flash was also made in the printed form - same colours, dimensions and attribution. Can't give you a positive ID I'm afraid, but I've never seen one identical to yours in 50 years of collecting! Mike

[54Bty]

This is one I have, attributed to 7 LAA Bde RA on Malta.

Marc

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

This is one I have, attributed to 7 LAA Bde RA on Malta.

Marc

Marc, looks pretty like the very same flash.....

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

The distinct white border is unusual. I have a regimental flash apparently identical in size and style of manufacture but with the outline in red which is attributed the post-WW2 50 HAA Regt RA. The same flash was also made in the printed form - same colours, dimensions and attribution. Can't give you a positive ID I'm afraid, but I've never seen one identical to yours in 50 years of collecting! Mike

Mike, this is the description given by Cole (p. 138): "Light A.A. Brigade, R.A. Malta: A Maltese Cross as above divided into dark blue and gold with narrow white edges set on a black square was worn by the L.A.A. Brigade".

[Eddie Parks]

LOL

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by loupie1961

Mike, this is the description given by Cole (p. 138): "Light A.A. Brigade, R.A. Malta: A Maltese Cross as above divided into dark blue and gold with narrow white edges set on a black square was worn by the L.A.A. Brigade".

Heraldt in War, Howard Cole, Second Edition, 1947 Lists; Field Defences, Malta, HQ RA and Mobile Units, Heavy AA Bde RA, Malta but no sign for 7 LAA Bde RA, Malta. John Waring (JW1/637) states: "Malta LAA Units RA. Half yellow, half blue cross with red border, on black square. Printed". He and Howard Cole agreed to disagree!

[loupie1961]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Heraldt in War, Howard Cole, Second Edition, 1947 Lists; Field Defences, Malta, HQ RA and Mobile Units, Heavy AA Bde RA, Malta but no sign for 7 LAA Bde RA, Malta. John Waring (JW1/637) states: "Malta LAA Units RA. Half yellow, half blue cross with red border, on black square. Printed". He and Howard Cole agreed to disagree!

Mike, mine is the revised and enlarged 1973 edition, Formations signs of WWII, and the flash is described as above and related to the Light AA Bde, RA Malta.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by loupie1961

Mike, mine is the revised and enlarged 1973 edition, Formations signs of WWII, and the flash is described as above and related to the Light AA Bde, RA Malta.

It's strange that the LAA Bde slipped through the identification net for so long given that a fair number of soldiers must have worn the sign. This RA associated sign worn on Malta has so far defied identification:
RA Malta.jpgRA Malta.03.jpg

[54Bty]

Is that just a black shape?

Marc