Irish Despatch Rider Patch..???

[Roy]

Hi Guys,

This is a recent find, 'purported' to be WWII Irish Motorcycle Despatch Rider patch.

To be honest, I have no idea or proof of this and it doesn't look that old to me.

BUT I liked it, never seen one like this before and it didn't cost a lot, so what the hell.

Any thoughts, opinions or ideas most welcome?

Cheers,
Roy

[Home Guard]

Interesting patch Roy. I'll be interested to see what others have to say about it.

Terry

[Roy]

Thanks Terry,

I thought the same thing. Not one I have ever seen before, so thought it was worth grabbing regardless of what it turns out to be.

Cheerio,
Roy

[John Mulcahy]

It appears to me to be a dispatch rider proficiency badge for the Local Security Force (LSF). I have seen one like it before. The LSF was created in May 1940 as an auxiliary police service. Initially, its activities were as auxiliary police (internal securitY).

In 1940 a decision was taken to divide the force into two groups;
"A" Group – to act as an auxiliary to the Army.
"B" Group – to continue as an auxiliary to the Police Force.

The insignia is shown as a black and white line drawing on page 46 of "Badges : Medals : Insignia (Irish Defense Forces)" by James J Hogan January 1, 1987.

The entry notes "gold on red diamond backing". I would take the term "gold" as a general colour term personally and I would not take it to mean gold thread embroidery.

I would be happy to scan the page and send it to you privately.

A winged wheel is a common symbol for Supply and Transport Units in the Irish Defence Forces Unit badges

John

[John Mulcahy]

My apologies, yes a LSF dispatch rider. The wheel alone is transport.

See some of the badges here

https://www.whytes.ie/art/1939-45-ir...=15&offset=165

[Roy]

Hi John,

That's wonderful information mate, very much appreciated.

And 'yes', if you could scan the appropriate page and send it along to royshadbolt@me.com that would be most helpful.

I call that result..

Cheers,
Roy

[John Mulcahy]

Originally Posted by Roy

Hi John,

That's wonderful information mate, very much appreciated.

And 'yes', if you could scan the appropriate page and send it along to royshadbolt@me.com that would be most helpful.

I call that result..

Cheers,
Roy

sent

[Roy]

Thanks so much John,

So fabulous to have a mystery solved.

Cheers,
Roy