1st Para Division- Signals-- OX AND BUCKS BERET BADGE?

[riggermodified]

http://www.britishbadgeforum.com/for...ctureid=119202
Hey there!
Here is a well-known photo captioned:
"Major Lonsdale (left), Second-in-Command of the 11th Parachute Battalion and commander of the Lonsdale Force at Arnhem, accepts a light from Lieutenant David Polley, "C" Section (lines), 1st Airborne Divisional Signals, after the battle at Nijmegen on the 26th September. Copyright: IWM BU1131."

I recently purchased a field-made knife owned by David Polley from the photo.
I'd like to get a nice WWII-issued beret badge that he's wearing to display with the knife---
The photo is grainy, but can anyone help ID his beret badge-- It looks like an OX AND BUCKS LIGHT INFANTRY badge to me (ey?)

Here's the photo in question: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135678...posted-public/

[JerryBB]

According to his known history he was commissioned with the Royal Signals so I am not sure why he is wearing what appears to be the stringed bugle of the Ox & Bucks, though he was previously a ranker so perhaps he was with the Ox & Bucks then and kept that badge.

http://www.unithistories.com/officer..._officersP.htm

[Postwarden]

In keeping with his role his beret badge is a wire embroidered version of the Royal Signals cap badge, presumably on a maroon backing.

The example attached shows the same design on a blue backing.

Jon

[riggermodified]

right-O! I know the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry was CONVERTED to a para unit, so I'm trying to determine if that was his unit of origin.

http://www.paradata.org.uk/units/2nd...light-infantry

[riggermodified]

AHH!! Quite nice to see that..
and yes; it's the same shape as the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry badge-- easily confused on a blurry photo!

I wonder where I could obtain a WWII issue of this badge you showed me?
Thanks!

[Postwarden]

Have a look at the Badjez thread on berets which shows an Airborne Signals beret, the scroll of which is different to the example I showed.

Jon

[riggermodified]

very interesting.. The other signals badges seem to be straighter on the bottom; and the one on Polley's beret is definitely curved like an Ox and Bucks badge, and the wire signals example you posted.

[riggermodified]

Here's the link to the beret badge in QUESTION-- I think you're right..Not an Ox and Bucks badge AT ALL---->

As Lt. David Polley was 1st Divisional Signals, this is what he would've worn, ey?

http://www.signalsbadges.co.uk/framepage.htm

[riggermodified]

The thing that's wrong with this theory of the SIGNALS badge, is that in my original photo-- IT APPEARS THAT HIS CAP BADGE IS STICKING OUT FROM HIS BERET-- like a metallic piece, NOT a patch more flush to the beret..

What do you think?

Here's Wally Parr's beret and Ox and Bucks Badge to compare: https://www.flickr.com/photos/135678...posted-public/

[54Bty]

To my eyes it is the Sigs Jimmy on a blue background sewn onto the lighter coloured beret, the blue making it seem to stand out. Also the shoulder designation is ROYAL CORPS OF SIGNALS.

Marc

[riggermodified]

Thanks Marc!

Any chance you have a photo example of the Jimmy Sigs on the blue background to compare? Your analysis makes a lot of sense!
Any chance you know where I could find an original WWII issue of the shoulder patch and beret patch?
THANK YOU!

[blackpowder44]

This is my Royal Signals bullion badge, Kings crown. John.

[HistoryBuff1]

Hi all,

Lt. David Polley was my great uncle whilst I've had a few stories about his time in the forces and seen some of his photos (now lost). I wanted to try and find out more about him. Have any of you got any good source's of information pertaining to David Polley or his regiment?