43rd Wessex Division

[REME245]

What individuals did on walkingout battledress is another thing all together.

The badge is period so some enterprising military out-fitters must have manufactured them.

A clearer shot of the Wiltshires Wyvern would be interesting.

[54Bty]

Totally of topic, but, your image of the City of Bristol title is interesting as, I have it as:

Worn below the ROYAL ARTILLERY designation by members of 601st (M) HAA Regt RA (City of Bristol) (TA), from 1953 to 1955, approved by the War Office on the 27th January 1953, and sealed for them on 22nd July 1953.

[blackpowder44]

Wiltshire Wyvern for REME245

[blackpowder44]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

Totally of topic, but, your image of the City of Bristol title is interesting as, I have it as:

Worn below the ROYAL ARTILLERY designation by members of 601st (M) HAA Regt RA (City of Bristol) (TA), from 1953 to 1955, approved by the War Office on the 27th January 1953, and sealed for them on 22nd July 1953.

Not quite sure of what you are trying to say, but I can assure you that this combination is original and not "made up" John

[54Bty]

As I know that it was worn by an RA Regt, the questions are?

Why is the CITY OF BRISTOL title being worn under a GLOUCESTERSHIRE title?
Which Battalion was wearing it?
When was it being worn?

[blackpowder44]

Originally Posted by 54Bty

As I know that it was worn by an RA Regt, the questions are?

Why is the CITY OF BRISTOL title being worn under a GLOUCESTERSHIRE title?
Which Battalion was wearing it?
When was it being worn?

A Coy. 5Th. Bn 1961-1967. Litchfield Territorial Arty. 1908-1988.page 87. John.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by blackpowder44

A Coy. 5Th. Bn 1961-1967. Litchfield Territorial Arty. 1908-1988.page 87. John.

John,
Thank you, how I missed that I do not know!

[REME245]

John

The additional picture you have posted for me is identical to the reproduction I posted earlier in this thread.

Are you happy that yours is correct as it is not a pattern I have observed before. I was under the impression that the two TA Battalions used squares of cloth rather that the Cross which was reserved for the regular battaions. If correct the regular battalions did not presumably serve with the 43rd Division.

I may be totally wrong but I would welcome comments.

[blackpowder44]

I am certain that the Wyvern and the Wilts. combination are perfectly correct and original. The second Bn. Wilts served in 5 Div in Italy whilst the 4th. Bn in 129 Brigade served in the 43 Wessex Div. ending their war in Germany.On demob a lot of cross posting occured whereby men from the 2nd. Bn. were posted into the 4th. bn. and that is why the Wyvern and the Wilts. Cross were worn as in this combination. Hope this is clear. John

[Old Smelly]

First pic is of several variations, mostly wartime, note facing pares in both ordanance type with 'glue' backing and also hand embroidered over painted type.
Second pic shows combinations, L to R: Worcesters, RASC, and 5th Wilts.
Third pic shows Wyvern on BD, L to R: 4th Somerset LI, 4th Wilts, RE, and DCLI(BAOR period c1946)
Note that the Wilts BD has 'incorrect' facing wyverns on both sleeves, also of interest is that the DCLI soldier has had previous service with 50th Div.
I was once shown a facing pair of bullion wyvern by a fellow collector who said that they had come in with a group of items to an officer who had served in 43rd Div HQ.
Lee

[blackpowder44]

Thanks for posting these badges. Super reference items for collectors of 43rd. Wessex formation signs. Could you throw any info. on the Wyverns with the coloured embroidery, thanks, John.

[Old Smelly]

Hi John
I don't know if there is any significance to the colours, there seem to be quite a few variants, possibly done to brighten up the uniform. I thought at first it might have been something to do with regimental colours, ie, to correspond with cap badge backings or coloured side caps but this doesn't work, fyi, the combination patch with red tongue and blue claws with one red bar came with some Somerset LI bits.
Lee

[signalman]

These Wyverns came from a 1950,s battle dress which i found in a skip,it had been eaten by moth so stripped it,it was badged to a 2nd Lieut. Ox and Bucks.Phil.

[Old Smelly]

Just picked these up at the Stoneleigh show. WW2 type emboidered Wyverns but one has a factory error
Lee

[Mike Jackson]

The Wyvern was worn by so many for so long that there are bound to be scores of production (and hand embellished) variations. As has been pointed out many of the hand embroidered examples are based on the original painted sign. One theory behind the coloured claws - I have both red and blue examples - is that red claws indicated Div HQ personnel and blue claws Bde HQ personnel. Several Divisions adopted a similar practice - a small version of the red Div HQ pennant in felt worn below the formation sign by Div staff and a dark blue pennant usually in felt below the sign for wear by Bde HQ. Ironically one of the hardest variations of the Wyvern to find is the painted early WW2 version in decent condition.