Belgian Exiled Forces WW2

[irish]

Two berets coming form the same Belgian officer. First is a British made beret,.. while the second is a Belgian made example. The beret badges themselves are slightly different from one another. Jack

[Luc]

Very nice Jack!

[irish]

Thanks Luc....

[stef]

Hi Jack,

Any more information info on the officer?
I can see Lt. Bottu ?

Looking at the berets and attached lion capbadges I assume these are from a lieutenant that joined the army as a war volunteer once Belgium was liberated.
Some of those units saw action in Holland and Germany 1945. I will have a look in my archive if I have anything for a Lt. Bottu.

[Luke H]

Originally Posted by stef

Hi Jack,

Any more information info on the officer?
I can see Lt. Bottu ?

Looking at the berets and attached lion capbadges I assume these are from a lieutenant that joined the army as a war volunteer once Belgium was liberated.
Some of those units saw action in Holland and Germany 1945. I will have a look in my archive if I have anything for a Lt. Bottu.

Is Bottu not the manufacturer?

[irish]

I believe that is the manufacturer.

Stef... I do have The Officers name and will post it. If you find any information that would be great
Best
Jack

[Hoot]

The one made by Collett of London looks like a General Service Cap to me, not a beret.

[Trubia26]

Yes, it is the general service cap of a member from the Belgian brigade...I have this one with the green diamond of the troops trained in north ireland







The second is a beret..I am not sure, but actually I think that only the cadets wear the lion badge (before specialiced in a branch)

[stef]

Originally Posted by irish

I believe that is the manufacturer.

Stef... I do have The Officers name and will post it. If you find any information that would be great
Best
Jack

I see now it indeed is the manufacturer.

What is his name?

[irish]

Marcel Balestrie.....

[stef]

Hi Irish,

I can't find the name in the lists of Belgian soldiers seving in the UK with the Belgian army. But I did find 2 mentions a Balestrie in units of then newly formed Belgian army.

There was a major Balestrie commander of the 13th Fuselier bataljon.
More info: http://www.be4046.eu/13BnFus.htm

Edit: A picture of the major can be seen here as well

And later he was promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonel! I have this confirmed in a book. Lieutenant-Colonel Balestrie commander of the 22nd Fuselier bataljon.
More info: http://www.be4046.eu/22BnFus.htm

I can't find his first name to confirm the berets are his.
Do you have more information or orther stuff relating to this officer?

[irish]

Originally Posted by stef

Hi Irish,

I can't find the name in the lists of Belgian soldiers seving in the UK with the Belgian army. But I did find 2 mentions a Balestrie in units of then newly formed Belgian army.

There was a major Balestrie commander of the 13th Fuselier bataljon.
More info: http://www.be4046.eu/13BnFus.htm

Edit: A picture of the major can be seen here as well

And later he was promoted to a Lieutenant-Colonel! I have this confirmed in a book. Lieutenant-Colonel Balestrie commander of the 22nd Fuselier bataljon.
More info: http://www.be4046.eu/22BnFus.htm

I can't find his first name to confirm the berets are his.
Do you have more information or orther stuff relating to this officer?

Yes many pictures uniform etc. I had started a thread earlier this year with photos of him.... the name is as close as I could get. Thanks.