Tracker - can anyone identify ?

[natal01]

I received this badge today and could not find it in any of my reference works. It looks African , probably Southern African. It may be Rhodesian Parks Board. It is well made. Can anyone identify it ?
Thanks
Mike

[rhodesianmilitaria]

Do you mind if I ask where you got the badge from and whether you are interested in selling it?

[natal01]

The badge turned up in Joburg and was rather hopiing to find out what it is before entering into any negotiations.
Mike

[CftD]

I had the pleasure of doing a photographic safari in the Masai Mara about nine years ago and our native guides (trackers) all wore distinctive 'Tracker' badges but, as I recall, they were in cloth, worn on their shirts with pride. The reason was that such badges were an official badge of office to distinguish them from casual locals who would ask for tracking money to 'guarantee' whatever you were looking for. Maybe your badge is of a similar type of 'official' badge of office. Regards. David

[rhodesianmilitaria]

I'm afraid you are guessing.

[ruwa]

Originally Posted by natal01

I received this badge today and could not find it in any of my reference works. It looks African , probably Southern African. It may be Rhodesian Parks Board. It is well made. Can anyone identify it ?
Thanks
Mike

Hi Mike,
I also have picked up one of these and would also like it identified. I picked it up with several Rhodesian pieces.

Cheers,

Ruwa

[actionoke]

I ve had one before and I got 2 options on it
1. Rhodesian parks Board animal tracker.
2.There is a similar badge but without the tracker part for B.S.A.P. Victoria District Reserve Escort unit and road blocks

I also got another which I am gonna throw into the ring ...African /any ideas?

[Phillip Herring]

This one on eBay - Listed as commemorative.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RHODESIA-T...-/300586797773

Slightly different.

Phil

[natal01]

Hi Phil,
Actually, very different. At least the seller häd the good grace to call it ""commemorative". The advertised one was made along with other"fantasy" flashes and copies of all the old SADF flashes. This one is made of lucite (plastic) on metal , the one I showed is paint on metal.
There is a lot of this sort of junk floating around - so be careful !
Regards
Mike

[green_anorak]

Originally Posted by natal01

I received this badge today and could not find it in any of my reference works. It looks African , probably Southern African. It may be Rhodesian Parks Board. It is well made. Can anyone identify it ?
Thanks
Mike

Hello Mike. I hope this helps. I believe the badge you have is that worn by trackers from the original Rhodesian Tracker Combat Unit (TCU). This unit was developed by the Rhodesian Army to capitalise on the skills of the native trackers employed by the Rhodesian Game Dept. TCU personnel were eventually subsumed into the Selous Scouts.

[natal01]

Thanks for that info. It makes it an interesting relic of the development of the Selous Scouts.
Regards
Mike

[Brian Conyngham]

I'm afraid you are guessing.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter

I suspect an answer like this is not what the BBF is about, however each to his own.

Regards
Brian