2 AIF Colour Patches 1941

[Mike Jackson]

Obviously not a comprehensive listing but of value since it shows the most important 2 AIF colour patches as at 1941. The illustrations form Appendix 4 to the AWM publication Australia in the War of 1939 - 1945, Series 1 (Army), Part I (To Benghazi) published 1952. The explanatory notes are also of interest.
2 AIF.Colour Patches.01.jpg 2 AIF.Colour Patches.02.jpg

[slick_mick]

Thanks Mike!

Mick

[lettman]

It's a nice resource but really only tells a very small part of the 2nd AIF colour patch saga!

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by lettman

It's a nice resource but really only tells a very small part of the 2nd AIF colour patch saga!

True. Dave Allen in his reconstituted 1946 official document listed and illustrated 788 colour patches (inclusive of the "new" and simplified system introduced in late 1945).

It's worth trying to track down a copy of this since the lettering and artwork is of a very high standard and the whole work is a real period piece of the pre-computer age. I have an unbound photocopy of the (uncoloured) original that I'm prepared to loan. 38 pages, each 11.5 in square.

[John L]

Then there is keith Glyde's book done in 1999. Which is the most inclusive I have seen.

[slick_mick]

And also the 1992 publication "Colour Patch Register 1915 - 1949".

Mick

[lettman]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Obviously not a comprehensive listing but of value since it shows the most important 2 AIF colour patches as at 1941. The illustrations form Appendix 4 to the AWM publication Australia in the War of 1939 - 1945, Series 1 (Army), Part I (To Benghazi) published 1952. The explanatory notes are also of interest.
Attachment 77664 Attachment 77665

Even if you don't take into account the masses of corps, support services and militia patches, the pages sent by Mike represent only the middle scheme of AIF divisional patches. There was a 'first scheme' at the beginning of the war which tried to impose patches with no proper link to the heritage of WW1 patches worn by the same numbered units, and there was a 'final stage' which involved, among other things, the 9th Division adopting its scheme of 'T' patches which (paradoxically) ignored the heritage of WW1 patches and set up its own tradition!