Shrobden? Formation Signs on Berets?

[Rodd Hill]

Turned this up at a postcard fair on a recent trip to the UK. The reverse has a note "taken at Shrobden training centre 4 years ago."

Apart from having attended the "It Ain't 'Alf 'ot Mum" school of beret-wearing, they appear to have cloth flashes on their berets--and they almost appear to be all different. The only one that I can get a good look at is the tall fellow standing at left, which looks a little like the BAOR L of C formation sign.

Thoughts?

[grey_green_acorn]

I suspect they might be wearing their berets inside out and showing the backing material?

Tim

[Mike Jackson]

The place name Shrobden almost defies identification by Google - just the name of a cottage in rural Worcestershire. That's unusual in itself.

[SAS1]

They almost look like a football team or theatre group.

Dont agree that the berets are inside out though.

[54Bty]

I would go with French, Polish or Eastern European!

Marc

[Old Smelly]

Originally Posted by SAS1

They almost look like a football team or theatre group.

Dont agree that the berets are inside out though.

Have seen similar berets worn in early cycling clubs, although they do look semi military I would say early or even pre-war. The way they are wearing their berets looks very 'International Brigade'
Lee

[Sonofacqms]

The beret badge which has been enlarged looks like the Norwegian flag, this was I believe worn by free Norwegian troops.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

The beret badge which has been enlarged looks like the Norwegian flag, this was I believe worn by free Norwegian troops.

Good point, but I'm inclined towards Danish - a simple white cross on red. If Danish and if taken in UK, presumably soon after their arrival here - prior to induction into Free Danish forces?

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

Good point, but I'm inclined towards Danish - a simple white cross on red. If Danish and if taken in UK, presumably soon after their arrival here - prior to induction into Free Danish forces?

I believe that there were no Danish forces as such.

Individual Danes served in British units, which might say something about the photo?

[Sonofacqms]

I believe that when some of the original Commando raids into Norway took place, the Commandos were accompanied by Norwegians who wore this type of badge on their battledress sleeves.

It was also worn by members of a Surrey Home Guard unit, quite why they wore this has never been clear to me.

As for Danes serving with British units, Anders Lassen VC is a prime example.

[Rodd Hill]

Thanks for the answers so far; the speculations on Danes and suchlike got me to thinking: what if whoever wrote on the back of the card got the place name wrong?



It seems that nothing --ever-- has happened in Shrobden, Worcs. Google suggested that perhaps I meant Shobdon, Herefordshire? Where it turns out there was RAF No 1 Glider Training School from 1943.

Whoever wrote on the back seemed uncertain enough to cross it out once and start again...and apparently it was 4 years later. This still doesn't explain the headgear, mind you.

[Mike Jackson]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

I believe that when some of the original Commando raids into Norway took place, the Commandos were accompanied by Norwegians who wore this type of badge on their battledress sleeves.

It was also worn by members of a Surrey Home Guard unit, quite why they wore this has never been clear to me.

As for Danes serving with British units, Anders Lassen VC is a prime example.

Also Peter Madsen - exfiltrated from Denmark as a teenage Resister, joined the Buffs and ended his military career as Brigadier (and Director Intelligence Corps in the late 1980s). I believe a battalion of Buffs were employed as a Holding Unit for stray Danes who had made their way to UK.

[BWEF]

Yes, the King of Denmark was Colonel-in-Chief of the Buffs, which is why the Danes were sent there.

There is passing mention of the Danes serving in the Buffs in WW2 in the soundtrack of this 1955 clip:

http://www.britishpathe.com/record.php?id=39303

[BWEF]

Originally Posted by Sonofacqms

I believe that when some of the original Commando raids into Norway took place, the Commandos were accompanied by Norwegians who wore this type of badge on their battledress sleeves.

It was also worn by members of a Surrey Home Guard unit, quite why they wore this has never been clear to me.

As for Danes serving with British units, Anders Lassen VC is a prime example.

IIRC the reason why is explained in Len Whittaker's book on the Home Guard.

I do not have my copy to hand, but will look it up asap. Unless somebody else can kindly do so.

[David Moore]

Is it possible to get a close up of the tall chap in the middle? His headress looks distinctive.

Dave Moore