Parachute Regt: Mix of badges on OSD

[DougSA]

Thought it might be interesting to share this photo, received some years ago from Major Philip Nigel Grove, who was Adjutant of 1st Parachute Battalion at Arnhem.

Note the interesting mix of regimental insignia. As explained by Maj Grove at the time:

"I was a regular officer in The York & Lancaster Regt and during the war the Parachute Regt had not been formed - only Parachute Bns. When I joined I was posted to 8 Para Bn, which had been a battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regt and they still wore that badge on their red berets, as the Para Regt badge had not then been produced. So those of us who were not the R.Warwicks wore our own regimental collar badges with the R.W. cap badge."

The photo was taken in April 1943, after he had qualified as a parachutist.

I have also noticed on later photos of other officers in OSD that the Parachute Regiment collar badges were not always worn in favour of those of their parent regiment. In particular, a photo of officers of 10th Parachute Bn in Sept 1944, wearing Royal Sussex Regt collar badges. Although I also have another photo of another officer from the same battalion, before Arnhem, already wearing the Parachute Regt collar badges.

Does anyone know the orders/regulations regarding the introduction and use of the collar badges for OSD?

[NEMO]

Superb information , very many thanks for taking the time to add this, much appreciated.

[DougSA]

Originally Posted by NEMO

Superb information , very many thanks for taking the time to add this, much appreciated.

Your are very welcome! Happy to share.

[Mike B]

Great image - thanks for sharing
Mike

[Mike_2817]

It being wartime with the norm being Battledress were collar badges for OSD even officially approved till after the war?

One other thing is that officers OSD badges were a private purchase item and perhaps they were simply made to order??

[silverwash]

Lionel Queripel, VC
John Williams, DSO

both awards for Arnhem.

the other chap is Victor Dover, MC

[Mike B]

Silverwash - great images again
Mike

[DougSA]

I received the attached from Nick Hanmer and George Widdowson, both of 10th Parachute Battalion.

The photo from Nick Hanmer ('B' Coy) was taken at the wedding of Benjamin Clegg (2 i/c 'B' Coy), in the weeks before Arnhem. The photo shows Nick Hanmer, Myles Henry (Bn IO, ex-'B' Coy) and Lionel Queripel (2 i/c 'A' Coy). They are all wearing their Royal Sussex Regt collar badges.

The photo of George Widdowson (Bn 2 i/c) was taken "just before Arnhem". Originally from the Green Howards, he is wearing Parachute Regt collar badges.

[Mike B]

... and the great images and information still keeps coming
Excellent thanks
Mike

[3dg]

Major Allison Digby Tatham-Warter, transferred to the Parachute Regiment from Oxf & Bucks LI.
He wears his Para cap badge but retains his Oxf & Bucks collar badge buttons and cord, just thought this would be of interest to this very interesting thread.
Cheers



https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digby_Tatham-Warter

[fougasse1940]

And LI double Sam Browne shoulder straps.

Rgds, Thomas

[Dan M]

It looks like Major Thatham-Warter set the trend for the wearing of beret badges over the left ear.

[Frank Kelley]

Very clearly, bronze collar badges were both made and worn by some officers during the war, but, I would think it was quite common practice to simply wear those of your own regiment, rather than buy more.
This continued well into the Cold War, until 1958, so it is important to bare in mind that the Parachute Regiment had no permanent cadre whatsoever and was maintained by seconding officers, volunteers, but, only after they had completed their initial training and a considerable period of regimental duty.
They then had to undergo a period of selection at the hands of P Company and if they were not already qualified parachutists they would need to complete the parachute course as well, just as officers had done during the war itself with the old Parachute Training and Holding Battalion.

For a great many, it was simply the beret that mattered.

Originally Posted by DougSA

Thought it might be interesting to share this photo, received some years ago from Major Philip Nigel Grove, who was Adjutant of 1st Parachute Battalion at Arnhem.

Note the interesting mix of regimental insignia. As explained by Maj Grove at the time:

"I was a regular officer in The York & Lancaster Regt and during the war the Parachute Regt had not been formed - only Parachute Bns. When I joined I was posted to 8 Para Bn, which had been a battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regt and they still wore that badge on their red berets, as the Para Regt badge had not then been produced. So those of us who were not the R.Warwicks wore our own regimental collar badges with the R.W. cap badge."

The photo was taken in April 1943, after he had qualified as a parachutist.

I have also noticed on later photos of other officers in OSD that the Parachute Regiment collar badges were not always worn in favour of those of their parent regiment. In particular, a photo of officers of 10th Parachute Bn in Sept 1944, wearing Royal Sussex Regt collar badges. Although I also have another photo of another officer from the same battalion, before Arnhem, already wearing the Parachute Regt collar badges.

Does anyone know the orders/regulations regarding the introduction and use of the collar badges for OSD?

[Frank Kelley]

Service Dress was quite the "norm" for officers during the war, collar badges were simply ordered and sold by your particular tailor concerned.
Prior to regimental collar badges being available, an officer could wear those of his own regiment, although, some wore those of the AAC, of which the regiment was a component part.

Originally Posted by Mike_2817

It being wartime with the norm being Battledress were collar badges for OSD even officially approved till after the war?

One other thing is that officers OSD badges were a private purchase item and perhaps they were simply made to order??