Yellow Embroidered Parachute Wings Badge on Red Beret.

[leigh kitchen]

Can anyone tell me what unit this badge and beret are to please.
The badge appears to be embroidered and very worn rather than having an outer layer of fabric missing from it.

I don't think it's a child's play costume item but don't know what it is.

If a "genuine" item could it be a Middle Eastern item?

[High Wood]

I think that it is a dead moth. I'll get my coat.

[leigh kitchen]

Swat did you say?

[irish]

Interesting looking beret and badge. Both seeing significant wear. The beret edging is done in a material as opposed to leather or a synthetic plastic etc. when I first looked at it my gut said African nation. What countries military would allow a piece of uniform to become that worn And still used. Of course the owner could have been beyond reproach on such a thing and nothing said if always in the field.

Honestly though it is hard to say. Need to get out the first Bragg and Turner and start looking for an outline foot print that matches.

[leigh kitchen]

Thanks, I see what you mean about its look suggesting Africa - and now I'm imagining a ganja smoking AK toting chap sitting in his jaunty red beret in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser.

At the moment it has no real provenance other than a suspicion that it was a "bring back" by a British soldier who may have served in "Gulf 1".

Unfortunately I have away my Bragg & Turner years ago as I never seemed to get any para insignia that I needed to check and it would be of more use to a mate.

I've seen images of red berets with yellow "wings' as children's costume but the berets are of different, "conventional" construction and the badge as per the British Parachute Regiment beret badge but woven in yellow thread.

[irish]

‘Thanks, I see what you mean about its look suggesting Africa - and now I'm imagining a ganja smoking AK toting chap sitting in his jaunty red beret in the back of a Toyota Land Cruiser.”


Yes, or at a Katanga road block circa 1961

[leigh kitchen]

From squashed moth to a wild goose.

The outline of the badge seems to fit Iraqui para but they appear to have been of metal and plastic rather than embroidered.

[irish]

As long as we were postulating thought I would throw that reference in. Simba Beer at the ready

[leigh kitchen]

The seller didn't know what it is.
I'd be happy if it was 60's Congo or a fairly modern African, Middle Eastern job - just not a school girls beret.

African Simba's before my time....... there's Indian Simba and is there a Thai Simba?

My only African beer experience is with Kenyan White Cap, City and Tusker - and that lovely oatmealy thick Guinness brewed in Banjul, Gambia and Nigerian brewed Guinness.

[irish]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

The seller didn't know what it is.
I'd be happy if it was 60's Congo or a fairly modern African, Middle Eastern job - just not a school girls beret.

African Simba's before my time....... there's Indian Simba and is there a Thai Simba?

My only African beer experience is with Kenyan White Cap, City and Tusker - and that lovely oatmealy thick Guinness brewed in Banjul, Gambia and Nigerian brewed Guinness.

I must admit to not having tried it either. However it pops up whenever reading about the Congo fighting in the early 60’s. Simba and 7.62 ammo. What a madcap group of mercenaries and associates. Mad Mike Hoare being almost normal compared to some others.

[leigh kitchen]

Back with my "Iraqui?"

Some interweb images of Iraqui berets.

The beret I have belonged to a Coldstream Guards NCO who served in Iraq.

[Alex Rice]

Originally Posted by leigh kitchen

African Simba's before my time....... there's Indian Simba and is there a Thai Simba?

The Thai beer is Singha...

[leigh kitchen]

That's the one - two big bottles for £4 at the local corner shop (well 4 1/2 miles away) though I prefer the 660 ml Coronas).

[engr9266]

Off topic -
"My only African beer experience is with Kenyan White Cap, City and Tusker - and that lovely oat mealy thick Guinness brewed in Banjul, Gambia and Nigerian brewed Guinness."
Brings back memories of Kenya....

[leigh kitchen]

Oh yes - T bone steaks at about 5p a time, the cooks manning the bbq at the showground at Nanyuki....... The Blue Paradise Bar........ still got some of the spears.......