whats in a number 5

[Phill Lockett]

Hi Team

I recently brought a small lot of "cloth insignia mainly British WWII", amongst them was a worn 5 in a dark blue wool diamond.

Didnt think much of it as it could of been attached to another cloth insignia and had come off.

I then consulted BOBD for another item which i posted a reply on a diamond signals related 4 and as I was flicking across the pages and thinking, waste of time there wont be a red 5 in a dark blue diamond shape...........well was I wrong!

Page 138, Field Artillery Regt of the 3rd Infantry Division c 1940 of which 5 referred to 33rd Field Artillery Regt.

The unit served in 3ID in BEF 1940 so i would image it was at Dunkirk.

Would they have worn this and the 3rd ID Flash?

I have these odd ball triangles for the 3rd.

cheers

Phill

[mike_vee]

Spotted on-line :

20th ANTI TANK ROYAL ARTILLERY FORMATION PATCH OF THE RED 5 SET IN A BLACK DIAMOND

https://www.brittonsbadges.co.uk/en-...ign/prod_11298


Edit : This appears to be wrong as 5 confirmed as 33 Field Regiment.(20 Anti Tank wore 6)

.

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Phill Lockett

Would they have worn this and the 3rd ID Flash?

An Artillery Warrant Officer BD showing badges worn :

https://wdmilitaria.co.uk/shop.php?code=10764

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[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Phill Lockett

Would they have worn this and the 3rd ID Flash?

Details of numbers worn by various RA units in 3 Infantry Division :

The system used a very dark blue (almost black) diamond with a red number to indicate the artillery unit. It was worn on both sleeves below the Arm of Service Strip.

3 INFANTRY DIVISION INSIGNIA

33 FIELD REGIMENT RA

Illustrations of the formation badges under which a unit served or supported are given. This is no guarantee that the unit used this formations badge.

https://ra39-45.co.uk/units/field-re...ld-regiment-ra


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[Phill Lockett]

Hey Mike

Thanks for the replies and updates

Much appreciated for the effort you put in.

I did come across the The Royal Artillery site and then thought that the flash(?) might have been used by the 3rd when assigned to BEF with a possibility that the unit went thru Dunkirk with the flash as opposed to later 1944 re the BD.

What I like about this is the fact that this worn obscure "bit of damaged old cloth badge 5",that could of been left in the wilderness,known only by a few, has now a new home and recognistion on this forum.

Now I have to get me an RE Arm of service stripe as I have the printed RA title!

cheers again mate

Phill