Drake Battalion Cap Badge & Collars

[Alan O]

Originally Posted by RSM

A cracking photo. Not my field of collecting either but a couple of questions, if I may:

It appears there is some sort of cover being worn on his cap?

Under the coloured square patch on his upper left arm there appears to be another square patch. I can see an outline with what looks like something 'squiggly', perhaps an anchor and rope or similar??

Or am I chasing shadows?

I assumed that was his naval rank badge. The RND wore army rank on the right arm and navy on the left.

[royston]

Many thanks for showing the photograph and also for the enhanced image. I can now see were my large Hawke formation sign fits in. It is interesting also to see a Leading Hand with collar badges. He may also have cloth HAWKE epaulettes. Any idea what the arm band on his left wrist represents?

[Alan O]

I assumed it was a GC stripe and a wound stripe: possibly adorned with a coloured backing.

[royston]

Yes it could be a wound stripe but never seen it on an armband. also the inverted V?

[caladonia]

Hello there
What a great photo, and thanks to the OP for posting.
Regarding the arm band, they were introduced late in the war to show soldiers job within the battalion, Red-runners, blue-signals, carring party-yellow, sniper/scout-green.
William