Some bits I just photographed.

[markinbelfast]

May be of interest to some.

[Jibba Jabba]

He looks to of spent some time on Rhodesia from the second row of medals. The Rhodesia General Service Medal is up.

The beret and wings in my opinion are post war. Note that in the pic with medals the tips of the wings are flared up, however the other pic is deceptive.

[Unknownsoldier]

Different wings, the medals are different beneath each :-)

Tom

[Jibba Jabba]

How very astute of you. A different vet with war time wings!

[Unknownsoldier]

:-) I thought they were the same too until I realized one has the Italy star while the other doesn't......

Tom

[Jibba Jabba]

The guy with Italy star would of been the one I would of spoken to. Possible Raiding Support Regiment, who gave the German paratroopers a good hiding.

Hard to tell if that is a war time badge on the third pic. I like the look of the handle on the dagger.

[Unknownsoldier]

IMHO, it is post war, the beret and band look far too 'clean' to be WW2, the ones I have from then look slightly different, TBH it's possible it's newish, or a 1950's one, I have a Malaya one and that looks similar.... :-)

Some ex-members get awarded berets at re-unions and sometimes get them via the association through the QM at Hereford...... :-)

Tom

[tynesideirish]

Just a couple of points of interest (?)
I've yet to see a veteran wearing a wartime beret. Even the few who kept such things wouldn't wear them when modern ones are 2 a penny and easy to get.

Not likely to be RSR at all, sorry. Very few RSR members where in Italy. Mostly in Dalmation Islands, Yugoslavia, Greece and Balkans. More likely 2 SAS. I collected RSR and had a massive collection of rare items (As mentioned in Chute & Dagger) and not one BD had wings on chest.

Don't forget when you see these old guys with wings above their medals, it isn't to prove they where Para trained, or to show they are SAS. Beret's, Tie's and Blazer badges say that. They wear them because they where Awarded wings on chest. The same honour was given to some Rhodies during their bush war.

[Unknownsoldier]

WOC is something like 5 combat jumps isn't it???

Tom

[Flatdog]

Tom,

In Rhodesia, to be awarded the honour of Wings On Chest, you would have to have met the Operational Standard of the Regiment and how you performed with your team mates. This means your Troop mates would vote on your abilities and whether you "fit in". Operational experience did not necessarily mean you would allowed to wear WOC.

Flatdog

[Unknownsoldier]

Ahhh, interesting, thanks mate.

Tom

[Kiwipom]

This gentleman seems to have got around a bit not only has he the dunkirk medal and the Rhodesian General service medal , he also has south african awards!!! He would have been interesting to chat too.

[Jibba Jabba]

I've yet to see a veteran wearing a wartime beret. Even the few who kept such things wouldn't wear them when modern ones are 2 a penny and easy to get.

Ive seen plenty of 'pin head' berets green and maroon. Saw 'em last year at the Pingat Jasa ceremonies all over the UK.

I didnt notice the Dunkirk miniature......wonder how he finished up with the F&G Star only?

[tynesideirish]

Originally Posted by Jibba Jabba

Ive seen plenty of 'pin head' berets green and maroon. Saw 'em last year at the Pingat Jasa ceremonies all over the UK.

My apologies I thought we where talking about SAS veterans on this thread not the PARA / CDO / Army as a whole.

[Tourist]

I remember being told, and reading, back in the dim past, that WOC was awarded internally when a chap did something of note - in the bravery area - that did not attract a medal. Further, Stirling was meant to have initially sanctioned it for the survivors of the disasterous first raid afterwhich it caught on.

Just what I have read and been told, sadly I cannot remember the reference.