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  #1  
Old 11-11-19, 11:37 PM
GeorgeLesnik GeorgeLesnik is offline
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Default Paras badges

Hello,

Can anybody tell me what badges this chap has on his uniform?

It's a picture of my girlfriend's grandfather and neither her, nor her mother know, but they're keen to understand more.

Appreciate any help! Thanks in advance!
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  #2  
Old 12-11-19, 01:27 AM
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Hello George, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
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  #3  
Old 12-11-19, 01:40 AM
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3battalion 3battalion is offline
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Hi and welcome to the forum.

Great photo.

The soldier (Officer) is a member of the Parachute Regiment.

The insignia on his sleeve is includes his parachute wing, Pegasus Airborne Forces formation sign and also a Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (SAARF) Formation sign.

Paul
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  #4  
Old 12-11-19, 09:30 AM
Mike B Mike B is offline
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The Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force wing (bottom of upper arm) is a rare item. From memory the symbolism is a force coming from the air (parachutists) to relieve prisoners of war and slave labour (arrow point striking chain). I think it was formed in Match or April 1945 and only conducted one airborne mission.
Hope this helps
Mike
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Old 12-11-19, 12:06 PM
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Excellent article about The Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force by Les Hughes on Insigne website.

http://www.insigne.org/SAARF-I.htm
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  #6  
Old 12-11-19, 04:21 PM
GeorgeLesnik GeorgeLesnik is offline
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Thanks, gents. Very clear and interesting articles on SAARF. He seems like something deserving respect.
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  #7  
Old 12-11-19, 05:10 PM
GeorgeLesnik GeorgeLesnik is offline
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Another pic of him in different uniform - although I am not sure if there is anything especially critical to see here?

Thanks
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Last edited by GeorgeLesnik; 12-11-19 at 09:52 PM.
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  #8  
Old 12-11-19, 07:12 PM
Hawthorn Hawthorn is offline
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Mike,

Indeed an excellent and interesting article relating to a Unit I have not encountered before, thanks for taking the time to post it. The photograph at the top of this thread must, therefore, be extremely rare.

Simon.
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  #9  
Old 13-11-19, 09:47 AM
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William William is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hawthorn View Post
Mike,

Indeed an excellent and interesting article relating to a Unit I have not encountered before, thanks for taking the time to post it. The photograph at the top of this thread must, therefore, be extremely rare.

Simon.
Regrettably, I'll bet Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (SAARF) Formation sign badges/patches will be for sale on Ebay sometime soon!

Awra best to all

William
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  #10  
Old 13-11-19, 10:57 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GeorgeLesnik View Post
Another pic of him in different uniform - although I am not sure if there is anything especially critical to see here?

Thanks
Wearing Khaki Drill with medal ribbons. Probably taken in Palestine circa 1946-1948 while serving with 6th Airborne Division.

The coloured strips on his epaulettes (shoulder straps) indicate his battalion of the Parachute Regiment.

Try his name (or add it) in Paradata https://www.paradata.org.uk/roll-call there are many named group photos in the section on Palestine.

Tim
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Old 14-11-19, 11:08 AM
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A superb and possibly unique photo. Thanks for sharing.

Jon
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  #12  
Old 16-11-19, 11:45 AM
GeorgeLesnik GeorgeLesnik is offline
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Thank you, everyone.

I am glad people found the photos interesting.
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  #13  
Old 17-11-19, 11:52 AM
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Frank Kelley Frank Kelley is offline
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Information on this short lived organisation and it's badges has certainly been widely available for over three decades now!



Quote:
Originally Posted by William View Post
Regrettably, I'll bet Special Allied Airborne Reconnaissance Force (SAARF) Formation sign badges/patches will be for sale on Ebay sometime soon!

Awra best to all

William
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