143 Brigade

[Badger44]

I recently acquired a different version of this patch, and as this is the third variation I have come across, I thought I would illustrate them here for information.
No 1 is the first I acquired and on this the branch is white.
No2 is the second I acquired and on this the branch is yellow
No 3 is the most recent I acquired which is totally different than the other two, being a blue silhouette with no detailing to the bird at all. This looks as though it has been worn.
These may just be manufacturers variations, but the third one is so different that I wonder whether this was worn by a particular unit of the brigade. Any thoughts from members would be most welcome.

[johnG]

I hope somebody will come up with an answer to this question, and may I ask please, can anybody tell me why a parrot was chosen for this badge.
Many thanks

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by johnG

I hope somebody will come up with an answer to this question, and may I ask please, can anybody tell me why a parrot was chosen for this badge.
Many thanks

A macaw - from the WW2 48 Inf Div (of which 143 Inf Bde was a component)
I cannot find an image at the moment (on exercise!) Mike

[johnG]

Thanks Mike. Any idea of the reason for the macaw?
Regards,

John

[54Bty]

The Divisional badge was adopted in 1940. At the time the Division’s Headquarters was in an old Elizabethan house at Littlecote, on the River Kennet, two miles West of Hungerford. In the hall was a MACAW in a cage. When the G.O.C., Major General (later Lieutenant General Sir) Andrew Thorne first entered the house the bird called out “Good Luck, Good Luck”. This was taken as an omen, and when a formation badge was selected, the MACAW was chosen to commemorate the incident. It was set on a red diamond background to link the badge of the Division with that of the 1914-1918 War when the sign was a white diamond. (Howard Cole Formation Badges of WW2 etc. 1973).

[Mike H]

The first two appear to be very recent/current badges.

[johnG]

Many thanks for the information. It is much appreciated.
John

[Badger44]

Many thanks, Mike and Marc, for the information given on the background to the design and the reason for the adoption of the macaw for 48 Div.
However, does anyone know when the various versions of 143 Brigade I illustrated came into use? Was the detailed version first, or the silhouette version first?

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Badger44

Many thanks, Mike and Marc, for the information given on the background to the design and the reason for the adoption of the macaw for 48 Div.
However, does anyone know when the various versions of 143 Brigade I illustrated came into use? Was the detailed version first, or the silhouette version first?

No idea I'm afraid - TRFs and modern (post 1970s) formation signs are mysteries to me. Mike

[54Bty]

I obtained a full colour badge in September 1994, from the Brigade.
The all blue version I bought off the forum in 2014. I still need the white stick version, however I have not seen either of the last two versions before.

The badge used on the old Brigade sign board is the all blue one.

When I wrote to the Brigade (after the amalgamation) asking about the old and possibly new badge, I was told to write to the Signals Museum. As I know how helpful they are I have not bothered.

Marc

[Badger44]

Thanks for your further comments, gentlemen. If the blue silhouette one is as used on notice boards, perhaps this version came out first. It's a pity someone in the formation didn't note it at the time.
I also know Marc, that some museums have never taken much interest in such cloth badges.
Thanks anyway.

[REME245]

Unfortunately the curse of finding someone who actually gives a damn.

I am collecting a lot of badges to the organisation I am in now but there is very little interest internally and I will probably eventually donate everything to my local Town Museum because I have no faith anything given to my HQ will not disappear out the back door due to lack of interest.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by REME245

Unfortunately the curse of finding someone who actually gives a damn.

I am collecting a lot of badges to the organisation I am in now but there is very little interest internally and I will probably eventually donate everything to my local Town Museum because I have no faith anything given to my HQ will not disappear out the back door due to lack of interest.

What is org is it?

Marc

[54Bty]

Information received from the Brigade (no dates).

1st Pattern = Silhouette.

2nd Pattern = White stick.

3rd Pattern = All colour.

Marc

[AndyC_65]

Cultman have one of the first pattern patches for sale.

Andy