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  #1  
Old 12-05-21, 10:17 AM
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Default Formation signs and stripes

Maybe an obvious question, were all regimental formation signs and stripes worn on both sides of the tunic? I'm aware shoulder titles did.

Thanks in advance
Vincent
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  #2  
Old 12-05-21, 11:56 AM
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Good question. I think many were if not most but SHAEF and Pathfinders for example were worn as singles.

And some of the forces in exile during WW2 also had single formation signs and shoulder titles.
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  #3  
Old 12-05-21, 03:10 PM
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I think you have to specify the time period and form of dress for a more accurate answer.

CB
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  #4  
Old 12-05-21, 03:52 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cbuehler View Post
I think you have to specify the time period and form of dress for a more accurate answer.

CB
I'm thinking World War Two period on battledresses.
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  #5  
Old 12-05-21, 06:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luc View Post
Good question. I think many were if not most but SHAEF and Pathfinders for example were worn as singles.

And some of the forces in exile during WW2 also had single formation signs and shoulder titles.
Pathfinders - formation signs? Please can you explain which badges you are referring to?
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  #6  
Old 12-05-21, 08:19 PM
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See attached for a US made example but British made badges also exist.
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File Type: jpg Pathfinder (1).jpg (104.9 KB, 11 views)
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  #7  
Old 13-05-21, 06:27 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luc View Post
See attached for a US made example but British made badges also exist.
Is this not a qualification badge worn in addition to the normal Pegasus formation badges? Just trying to keep definitions clear.....
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  #8  
Old 13-05-21, 08:39 AM
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Maybe I haven't made myself clear....

What I mean by formation signs and stripes would be as per attachment for the Commonwealth and British Army during WWII on battledresses.

Thanks
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File Type: jpg unnamed.jpg (38.1 KB, 40 views)
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  #9  
Old 13-05-21, 10:10 AM
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Nothing to do with your subject, but that looks like a 1960 pattern gun.

Marc
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  #10  
Old 13-05-21, 11:06 AM
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Broadly speaking the answer is Yes, on both arms but being the British Army there are exceptions and variations.

Rifle Brigade NCOs only wore rank badges on the right arm; a Middle East Order of November 1943 instructed that 'Formation signs and regimental flashes were only to be worn on the left sleeve, those entitled to arm of service strips wearing them on both sleeves. ORs’ rank badges were only to be worn on the right sleeve.

Jon
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  #11  
Old 13-05-21, 12:34 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Postwarden View Post
Broadly speaking the answer is Yes, on both arms but being the British Army there are exceptions and variations.

Rifle Brigade NCOs only wore rank badges on the right arm; a Middle East Order of November 1943 instructed that 'Formation signs and regimental flashes were only to be worn on the left sleeve, those entitled to arm of service strips wearing them on both sleeves. ORs’ rank badges were only to be worn on the right sleeve.

Jon
Thank you Jon. That's what I was after.

Regards
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  #12  
Old 13-05-21, 12:38 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 54Bty View Post
Nothing to do with your subject, but that looks like a 1960 pattern gun.

Marc
Marc for a closer look at the image visit;

https://vassallohistory.wordpress.com/armed-forces/

Vincent
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  #13  
Old 13-05-21, 03:49 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Colin S View Post
Is this not a qualification badge worn in addition to the normal Pegasus formation badges? Just trying to keep definitions clear.....
No, it was worn by some members of the 21 and 22 independent parachute companies which allowed them to be identified as such but it did not require additional training.
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  #14  
Old 13-05-21, 04:08 PM
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Luc,

Interested to note that you say the British pathfinders wore this badge which I thought was purely a US item.

What evidence is there of this please as I'm always on the lookout for additions/corrections etc for my book Badges on Battle Dress.

Jon
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  #15  
Old 13-05-21, 06:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Luc View Post
No, it was worn by some members of the 21 and 22 independent parachute companies which allowed them to be identified as such but it did not require additional training.
21 and 22 Companies were both Pathfinder roled and would have received additional training in marking out DZs and other relevant aspects which qualified them beyond the normal training for a Parachute Regiment rifle company. My understanding is that the US Pathfinder torch badge was worn, unofficially, by those members who had trained alongside their U.S. counterparts at the U.S. Pathfinder school in Nottingham and it was worn to show their additional training and role, so in those terms it was a qualification badge. It was worn in addition to the normal Airborne formation signs of the Pegasus.

I’m not disputing that the torch was worn, only that it was not a formation sign in the normally accepted use of the words.
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