Mystery Shoulder Titles

[fromelles]

Has anyone any idea what these are? I picked them up with other bits and pieces and am hoping someone may have seen them being worn. They've got some age to them, but I haven't a clue, just as likely to be railways or something else as uninspiring

FRANCE = 11mm
RESERVE = 10mm

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Cheers,

Dan

[NORMANDIE18]

Hi,
FRANCE shoulder title has been worn by Free French c1940/1945. This one was not made in UK, it seems to be sand cast, maybe in North Africa ??
Regards
normandie18

[fromelles]

Thanks normandie18,

Looks like I'm in for a bit of research, I don't know anything about the Free French

Regards,

Dan

[kingsley]

The term 'Army Reserve' now means Australian militia forces, but before WW2 it meant the reserve of officers, who wore a RESERVE title like this one. Their cap badge was a cursive letter R and smaller block letter R badges were worn on epaulettes with the above title. I have never been able to find out whether the smaller R was also worn on the collars. There is also a lapel badge worn on civvies.

[fromelles]

Thanks again Kingsley, you're a fount of knowledge.

Good to hear it's an Australian badge.

Dan