Unknown Patch Uniform

[GAKINCAID]

Hi friends, need some help again. Recently acquired a very light weight tropical style OD green, British, or British Commonwealth short-sleeved shirt with cloth captains hips, British airborne wings and a green shoulder rope. I'm guessing Vietnam era? It's definitely some sort of tropical uniform. It's starched maybe poplin?

I've also been completely unable to identify the shoulder patch on each sleeve. I thought it might be some sort of chaplain insignia, but I'm not seeing it anywhere.

The patch has a thin Red Cross on a white background with a blue base.

Any assistance with this mystery will be greatly appreciated.

Gerry Kincaid, Lt. Col. US Army retired

[leigh kitchen]

The formation sign is GHQ Far East Land Forces, para wings on the right sleeve, light blue backed "pips", maroon lanyard, presumably a Parachute Regiment officer, the experts will tell you which battalion wore the maroon lanyard.

[slick_mick]

The formation patch is Far East Land Forces.

Probably worn by a British officer in Malaya/Singapore.

Mick

[GAKINCAID]

Thanks, and guess as to the age of the shirt? WWII or post WWII?

Gerry

[Mike Jackson]

I would say early 1960s - why in heaven's name did we have to have OGs starched. It made going on exercise or operations a real pleasure (in terms of practicality and comfort of dress!)

[leigh kitchen]

Ah yes, starched OGs - Gibraltar - straight off to the RN Victualling Yard, OGs tailored.
Some kit you ironed yourself getting through unbelievable amounts of Robins spray starch, some kit regularly off to the dhobi wallah. It came back literally stiff as a board, you had to force limbs into shirts and trousers, it was like wearing cardboard.
Bulled working boots everyday, muster parades every day, Company muster parades at a pace faster than LI, arms up to horizontal front and back at lightning speed but feet merely inching forward like a choo choo train shuffling along. Very loud shouty affairs.
And that was the 70's, heaven knows what previous generations of squaddies had to go through.

[Cannoneer]

In more recent years 1PARA wore a red single cord lanyard, rather than a braided version.