SBS

[Mike Jackson]

An extract from some long-forgotten notes:

SBS

From “Something Unusual” by Eric Newby

“For security reasons the unit did not possess a badge; each man wore the badge of the regiment from which he had been seconded. Frognall invented one, a fanciful design of crossed Tommy guns over a submarine inscribed with the names of places on the enemy coastline which had been visited by members of our organisation. He had it embroidered in the bazaar.”

Comment Newby’s unit was SBS

[Sonofacqms]

Mike,

Is there a version of this badge in existence?

It sounds like a fake producers dream . . !

Rob

[Mike B]

Thanks for the quote. 'Lt' Eric Newby, Black Watch was:

Special Boat Section - first incarnation ie Roger Courtney's originals - Mediterranean 1941-42.

Loads of ambiguity re Abbreviation 'SBS'.

Mike

[Mike B]

Strangely ... Frognall does not appear in the roll for SBS put together by Geoffrey Courtney after the war ... but it is acknowledged as incomplete.

Does anyone have any details of Frognall?

Mike

[Mike B]

Rob
A fair few places were visited by the unit ... I know of at least 28 operations through Submarine, MTB and other means of Folboat conveyance - by September 1942.

Mike
Depends what date the badge was made - any clues Mike?

Mike

[Mike Jackson]

This, from an obituary, gives some context as to date of the mention of the badge. Mike

Not for long. By 1938 Newby had got himself on the crew of a four-masted barque, first as an apprentice, then as an ordinary seaman, sailing in the last Grain race from Australia to Europe, by way of Cape Horn. He used to say that the masts which the crew had to climb were as high as Nelson's column. When the war came along, he served in the Black Watch, being decorated later, and the Special Boat Section. He was a PoW from 1942 until the end of the war.

Indeed, he was twice taken prisoner, and told the story of his recapture - "a very disagreeable experience" - in what many regard as his finest book, Love and War in the Apennines (1971), a superb reconstruction of how at the height of the guerrilla warfare against the Germans in Italy, he met Wanda, the girl he returned to find when the war was over and whom he subsequently married

[Mike B]

Mike
Many thanks for the additional context
As you say - Newby was a prolific writer
All the best
Mike

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

An extract from some long-forgotten notes:

SBS

From “Something Unusual” by Eric Newby

“For security reasons the unit did not possess a badge; each man wore the badge of the regiment from which he had been seconded. Frognall invented one, a fanciful design of crossed Tommy guns over a submarine inscribed with the names of places on the enemy coastline which had been visited by members of our organisation. He had it embroidered in the bazaar.”

Comment Newby’s unit was SBS

A tongue in cheek contribution to this august forum. Is this what Frognall had in mind? Mike
SBS--NOT_from Newby's book..doc

[Mike B]

Hi Mike
Very interesting - lets see one appear soon ;-)
I have seven more destinations listed by very early 1942 but best not share in case someone does try to knock one up!
Thanks again for raising this
Mike

[Mike Jackson]

It's a bit off-track but I wonder who had this made up? I've had the image for decades but I can't remember the source. Obviously SAS inspired, but titled LRDG. Perhaps this time, someone will know who/what/when/why?
LRDG.jpg

[Sonofacqms]

Mike, I have seen this badge pictured before, maybe it's one you have shown in a previous thread, but I think the chances of finding out what some of these obscure unknown items of insignia are diminishing by the day as most of the people who had anything to do with them are fading away.

Rob

[fougasse1940]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

From “Something Unusual” by Eric Newby

Mike, do you have aditional info on this title? I can't seem to find anything about it.

Rgds, Thomas

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by fougasse1940

Mike, do you have aditional info on this title? I can't seem to find anything about it.

Rgds, Thomas

I had the same problem. It must be poor note taking on my part. It's possible that "Something Unusual" is a chapter heading in the book "On the shores of the Mediterranean" (1984). I can't check as I do not have a copy. I'll keep looking. Mike

[fougasse1940]

The only title that comes close is 'Something Wholesale', which seems an unlikely candidate, being about his time in the family garment business.
Your suggestion makes more sense, though I can't confirm it as I'm as of yet unfamiliar with it.

Rgds, Thomas

[HamandJam]

Mike

Interesting badge it has a first pattern fairbairn sykes knife in it instead of the SAS more standard sword/dagger. Looks authentic locally made.


Cheers
JB

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

It's a bit off-track but I wonder who had this made up? I've had the image for decades but I can't remember the source. Obviously SAS inspired, but titled LRDG. Perhaps this time, someone will know who/what/when/why?
Attachment 192267