Hertfordshire Regiment

[Mike Jackson]

The simplicity and obvious authenticity of this small item appeals to me. Worn by 1 Herts Regt, 66 Inf Bde, 1 Inf Div in Italy from Sep 44 to Jan 45 and thereafter in Palestine. They were brigaded with 2 RS and 11 LF.
1 Herts Regt, 66 Inf Bde from Sep 44_01.jpg1 Herts Regt, 66 Inf Bde from Sep 44_02.jpg

[badjez]

Mike, a very nice example. I have attached a photo of a single red heart that has been attributed to 2 Bn, Herts Regt in WW2, but was also worn by 1 Herts during WW1 (as listed by IWM & Waring).

The second photo is of a combination that came up for sale many years ago. As can be seen by the watermark, I hope Steve Bosley doesn't mind some free advertising.
This Lot was advertised as 2nd Hertfordshire Regiment, 73 Independent Infantry Brigade WW2 combination circa Sep-Dec 1942. However, I've also seen the blue heart attributed to a Wiltshire Bn, and the black/yellow bumble bee flash of the Bedfs & Herts Regt also throws in another curved ball. I know the Herts Regt were part of the Bedfs & Herts Regt 'Corps' but I've never seen the bumble bee flash worn by them. Also having served in 73 Independent Bde were 8 Bn Bedfs & Herts Regt 7.41. to 12.42. so could the flash be theirs?

Any observations?

Stephen.

[Mike Jackson]

I did quite a lot of research into the Bosley combination at the time it was on offer. The combination, with black/amber/black regimental flash can be seen in IWM image H 19328 dated 6 May 42 and is identified as 8 Bedfs & Herts. In the image the heart is either not visible or not present. Curiously this same image appears in the regimental journal of the R Innisk Fus of 1942 captioned "Our Battalion in Northern Ireland" (being inspected by HM The King).So - bottom line - 8 Bedfs & Herts. Mike

Afternote. The black/amber/black flash in a diamond format was worn by another (unident) Bedfs & Herts battalion. A flash in these colours may (may) also have been worn by 14 Med Regt RA (ex 10 Bedfs & Herts).