Airborne lanyard query - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Burton · #1 28-04-17, 03:10 AM

I've recently come across this passage in Ken Joyce's book on the Canadian Parachute Bn, "Into the Maelstrom", suggesting that before it settled down into the lanyard colours documented well elsewhere on the Forum, many of the British airborne units used an unofficial light blue lanyard.

Airborne lanyards.jpg

With this in mind I have re-assessed a service dress I own (I'm not 100% sure that it's not made up) that has such a lanyard. I previously thought it was 12th Bn, but now I'm not so sure...

DSC_1662Pinterest.jpg

Para tunic 4.jpg
Thoughts anyone?
Thanks in advance,
Burton

Bill A · #2 28-04-17, 11:30 AM

Hello Burton, Welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

Burton · #3 28-04-17, 06:52 PM

Thanks Bill. I've been here before, but forgot all my login details!

tcrown · #4 29-04-17, 01:48 AM

Hi Burton,
If I refer to Oliver Lock's book 'British Airborne Insignia', it doesn't look like 12th Bn. The structure is different as well as the color. I would say this one is more Royal blue and could be a candidate for 8th Bn.
I was wondering if members of Para units were not wearing at some point lanyards from their previous units (see http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...hlight=lanyard)
Pierre

Burton · #5 29-04-17, 05:13 PM

Thanks Pierre,
Yes, I had wondered too if it was an 8th Bn lanyard. Previous unit eh? That might make it RAF perhaps? As regards the wonderful Lock book, I've found the lanyard section to contradict other photo and militaria evidence, and I can only conclude that there were a huge range of lanyard styles for each Battalion, some braided, some not, paracord, twisted cotton, etc. etc. - with only the colour being broadly consistent.

I've not found any corroboration for the comments in Joyce's book, but the more I learn about the ad-hoc adoption of lanyards, and how units used different colours over time, it rings true. Just wondered if anyone else had heard of airborne units initially adopting light blue lanyards.

cw2311 · #6 29-04-17, 05:55 PM

This would be the style of lanyard you're referring to. This group belonged to Pte Ralph Kerr. Obviously his best dress!

Cheers