The 4th Armoured Car Regt 7th Armoured Div Award

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Guys

Here is a nice example of a "complete" 4th Armoured Car Regiment group.

These belonged to Sgt William Edmeades Yarr who served for 18 months with the unit and earned the right to wear the Jerboa or "Desert Rat" insignia awarded to the unit by the 7th Armoured Div.

The following is from the history of the SA Armoured Car units history "Springboks in Armour" by Harry Klein.

"On being withdrawn from the 7th Armoured Division, the 4th Armoured Car Regiment was awarded the highest distinction the division could bestow, that of wearing its proud insignia-the Jerboa-the "Desert Rat"

As can be seen in the picture of the OC of the 4th Armoured Car Regiment Lieut Col R. Reeves-Moore, DSO and MC. this award/badge was worn with pride.

Brian

[Frank Kelley]

Very nice indeed Brian, it is indeed ironic that the beret badge is actually worth more than the medals in most cases.

[Brian Conyngham]

Frank

The plus with WW2 SA gongs is that they were named and hence researchable, we are very lucky in that respect.

I had a complete WW2 jacket to these chaps but passed it on a few years back...a moment of madness on hindsight. By acquiring this group I have now thankfully put that one to sleep.

Brian

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Brian,
Yes, it is an advantage that the Union named medals, but, this seldom reflects in the actual value of campaign medals, unless the recipient was special in some way, so the badge is worth rather more in this particular case.
If he had been in, lets say, the Pretoria Regt, the lot would be worth rather less.
(Unless you had a badge complete with the original wartime made "wings" of course)
A really good group, I think having any badge where you can actually say who it was worn by, is very nice indeed.
Kind regards Frank

[Brian Conyngham]

Frank

SA is like most other Commonwealth countries, where the main interest in the medals is of course local.

There does appear to be a growing interest in SA medals worldwide, due largely to the spreading ex-pat population. There are also a number of collectors in the UK who enjoy the WW2 research that is available and of course the reasonable prices our groups can be purchased for. There is one chap in particular that practically hoovers up most interesting SA Groups off the net, often difficult to compete with him.

Brian

[Frank Kelley]

Hello Brian,
I think they are too cheap and have been too cheap for far too long, but, your group, with that badge, would not be cheap!
In the late 1970's, 1980's and early 1990's, a lot and I do mean, a lot, of badges left South African shores for that very same reason, they were worth far more overseas.
Regards Frank

[fearnaught]

Hi Brian, congratulations, thank you for showing the group, even if it did make me envious. Still searching for that elusive IV, really good to see one, thanks again, Mike

[Brian Conyngham]

Mike

Thanks, this chap served the full term of their involvement "Up-North" including when the 4th and 6th became a Composite Regiment, referred to as the 4th/6th SA Armoured Car Regt.

On returning to the Union he served out the rest of the war in the SA Pay Corps, he had been a bank clerk before attesting.

Will keep my eyes peeled for you.

Brian

[iaindh]

Hi Brian,

very, very nice and well done for getting it all "one time n all!"

Iain

Originally Posted by Brian Conyngham

Mike

Thanks, this chap served the full term of their involvement "Up-North" including when the 4th and 6th became a Composite Regiment, referred to as the 4th/6th SA Armoured Car Regt.

On returning to the Union he served out the rest of the war in the SA Pay Corps, he had been a bank clerk before attesting.

Will keep my eyes peeled for you.

Brian

[Brian Conyngham]

Hi Iain

Yes I was chuffed to get this group, I do have another IV badge but it is different to this version. The "other one" is cast bronze and is thicker. It would appear they were made in the field and thus there will be variations.

When I get a gap, I will post the 2 side by side to show the differances.

Brian