31/51st Battalion (Kennedy/Far North Queensland)

[razzo]

Hi everyone

My grandfather was in the 31st Battalion during WW2 which combined with the 51st in April 1943 to become the 31/51st Battalion. Did servicemen wear battalion hat badges during WW2 and if so was there a badge for the combined battalion?

Thanks for your help

razzo

[badgecollector]

hi razzo
the short answer is no, nearly all aussie battalions/units wore the general service rising sun badge. to distinguish the differences between them they wore a color patch on the upper arm
chris

[slick_mick]

The militia battalions would have worn their 1930s period hat badges when they were at home (at the start of the war and in some cases up to about 1942) but would have changed to the standard General Service hat badge (ie rising sun badge) when they were deployed overseas with the AIF.

Colour patches would then have been what distinguished the different units.

Your grandfather would have worn a 31st Battalion hat badge possibly up to around 1940-42 and then as part of 31/51 Battalion would have worn the Rising Sun badge when they deployed to New Guinea.

Mick