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#1
02-10-22, 02:36 PM
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53rd Welsh Division, R.A., G.P.R. Officer's tunic.
Purchased this morning and, whilst I am certain that the tunic is original, it looks as if a pair of Glider Pilot Regiment wings have been removed.
Is it possible for this combination of insignia to be worn by a Royal Artillery officer attached to the Glider Pilot Regiment, or is it likely that the wings were added by a re-enactor or a dealer. The 1939/45 Star and France and Germany Star are the correct Stars for a member of the 53rd Welsh Division. If the Military Cross ribbon is original to the uniform, it should be possible to narrow down the candidates for the original owner. Sadly, there is no tailor's label with the officer's name on the tunic. 
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#3
02-10-22, 04:47 PM
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Jerry,
as I know next to nothing regarding the Glider Pilot Regiment can you please explain what he needed to do to qualify for the wings and why he would need to? Would it indicate that he served with an airborne artillery unit and would relate to the loading, stowing and unloading of the air transportable artillery pieces? Is it possible that the qualification might be post war or should I be looking for an airborne artillery unit serving with the 53rd Welsh Division? I have a copy of Team Spirit. The administration of the 53rd Welsh Division during "Operation Overlord", which lists the order of battle, so I can look up each individual Field Regiment that served with them. Many thanks, Simon.
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#4
02-10-22, 05:02 PM
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Could they have been RAF wings?
Rob
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#5
02-10-22, 07:51 PM
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Quote:
I could understand if he was wearing Parachute qualification wings but I am sure that Para wings do not have the wings turned up at the angle shown on the uniform. As far as I know only Glider Pilot Regiment are this shape.
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#6
02-10-22, 08:01 PM
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The thread shadow is from Army Pilot Wings - possibly an Air Observation Post pilot who were usually Royal Artillery Officers flying Auster type aircraft and bringing field artillery guns onto targets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_Observation_Post Tim
__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm" "Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!" "Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest." Last edited by grey_green_acorn; 02-10-22 at 08:07 PM.
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#7
02-10-22, 08:06 PM
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Quote:
The key difference from the Army Co-operation squadrons was that AOP pilots were from the Royal Artillery. The RAF provided the technicians to service the aircraft and the equipment officers and adjutants. The rest of each unit was provided by the army, including signalers and drivers. A further unusual feature of Air Observation Post squadrons was that all pilots were officers, and they were nearly all captains. Since most operations were carried out separately by individual flights, this lack of rank structure in squadrons tended not to produce problems. I now have to find a way of identifying all the AOP pilots who flew with the 53rd Welsh Division. Last edited by High Wood; 03-10-22 at 08:51 AM. Reason: Adding information
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#8
13-07-23, 02:58 PM
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Quote:
However, not impossible (although less probable) that previously served with the Glider Pilot Regiment. I know of at least one glider pilot who returned to his parent unit - Royal Artillery - at the end of WW2 and was subsequently commissioned. He would therefore have been entitled to continue wearing his wings on uniform. The only way to find out for sure is if one had a name.
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#9
13-07-23, 05:15 PM
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__________________
I am still looking for British Army cloth Formation, Regimental, Battalion, Company and other Unit sleeve badges, from 1980 onwards.
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