ARM BAND-Canadian Army

[LLWill]

Can anyone shed some light on this armband??

I think it is an armband from the 1st Canadian Army - WWII.
There are no markings on the armband. The badge is very similar to the Canadian HQ sterling silver badge from the WWII era. There are no markings on the badge, it has tangs. The color format (Red/Black/Red) are the colors for the Army Formation badge. The metal "Gold" leaf matches the embroidered Army badge (Red/Black/Red with gold maple leaf) The embroidered "A" stands for Army??????

Has anyone ever seen anything like this

Thanks

Larry

[54Bty]

The letter 'A' normally represents Adjutant General's Staff and the colour of the band indicates Home Command Headquaters, that is in the British Army, it may be different in the Canadian army.

[Bill A]

Hi Larry, War Dress Regs Canadian Army 1943 lists this coloured armband as District Headquarters level. (Red black red). A is listed as A.A.G, D.A.A.G, Staff Captain "A", D.O.C.
Representative, NRMA. However, the regs indicate the lettering is embroidered in scarlet letters.

[54Bty]

Originally Posted by Bill A

Hi Larry, War Dress Regs Canadian Army 1943 lists this coloured armband as District Headquarters level. (Red black red). A is listed as A.A.G, D.A.A.G, Staff Captain "A", D.O.C.
Representative, NRMA. However, the regs indicate the lettering is embroidered in scarlet letters.

I think that if the lettering was in scarlet it would need to be on the central black band to be seen.

Is there a letter underneath the Maple Leaf?

[Bill A]

Hi 54Bty, I believe this armband is a variation on the theme. The maple leaf is unexplained in the regs, but could as Larry suggests, represent CMHQ. That HQ could be interpreted to be district headquarters.

[southsaskscotty]

oops double tap.

[southsaskscotty]

I am looking for an armlet that is almost identical to this one.

the one that I require has the headquarters patch (maple leaf in black circle), but the armband and 'A' look the same as this one.

the grouping that I am going to add it to (if I ever find one!) is for:
Adjutant Generals Branch, Canadian Command H.Q. London England

anyone able to help me out?

thanks! first post on your great site!
Scott

[servicepub]

My understanding is that Canadians (not just at CMHQ) applied the maple leaf to the centre of the armband and moved any letters (A, QM, BM, etc..) in order to increase Canadian visibility. There may be an Overseas Routine Order that addresses this and I will keep this in the back of my mind for my next visit to DHH library.
If your armband does not have the maple leaf then it is; British, or it is Canadian and pre-dates the change.