WW2 Staffordshire badge?

[JohnK]

A few years back I bought a what I think was a Soth Staffs group of 1939-45, France & Germany, Defence and War medals supposedly to an ammunition driver. They came with a cap badge, cloth shoulder badges and 2nd Army thanksgiving service order (pics attached). Can anyone identify the cap badge for me? Thanks

[Bill A]

Hello JohnK, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[Mike H]

It's not a cap badge but something that's been made up. The wreath looks like the Warrant Officer 2 wreath ,its married to what appears to be a broken North Staffs collar badge.
The feathers are absent from the top as are the scrolls

[grey_green_acorn]

Agree with Mike that it is made from two separate badges something similar to the attached. But what for? A large sweetheart brooch? Or something worn by a veteran?

Tim

[Sakralamn]

Originally Posted by JohnK

A few years back I bought a what I think was a Soth Staffs group of 1939-45, France & Germany, Defence and War medals supposedly to an ammunition driver. They came with a cap badge, cloth shoulder badges and 2nd Army thanksgiving service order (pics attached). Can anyone identify the cap badge for me? Thanks

Agreed the presence of the lugs and pins would suggest it could be worn on a wrist band like the AQMS rank badge. Or might it be a special item to adorn a Drum Major's sash or bandsman's cross-belt and music pouch. It just does not look like a North Staffs Regt cap badge.

[JohnK]

Mike and Tim, that seems to be spot on when I look more closely at the rear of the 'badge' and with the comparison to the North Staffs emblem - it's definitely the correct coronet. Intriguing, but mystery solved. John

[Sakralamn]

Could it be a decorative accoutrement for a musician's card case or even off some sort of cross-belt, colour carrier etc, so more a North Staffs Regt ceremonial piece, rather than a rank. Even an RP's brassard badge depending on size.

[JohnK]

Thanks Mike and Tim, that seems spot on. I had a closer look at the back of the 'badge' and the coronet and it does indeed look like a cut down North Staffs collar badge. Intriguing.

[Luc]

I'm not too fond of the printed shoulder title either.

[Staffsyeoman]

I'm not very fond of the entire "battle patch". The shoulder title, agree with Luc. The 30 Corps sign looks like a Sabre Sales special. Anyone can cut a strip of felt. The 59 Div sign is OK, but the material looks like our old friend the Army blanket masquerading as battledress material. Looks "assembled" much later.

[JohnK]

Thanks to all for the thoughts and analysis of the 'badge' and patch. I did realise the patch was a composite item, but good to get knowledgeable assessment of the originality (or otherwise!) of the constituent parts. Can anyone confirm if there was a printed South Stafford should patch like the one in the divisional patch or if this is definitely not right?

[cbuehler]

Originally Posted by JohnK

Thanks to all for the thoughts and analysis of the 'badge' and patch. I did realise the patch was a composite item, but good to get knowledgeable assessment of the originality (or otherwise!) of the constituent parts. Can anyone confirm if there was a printed South Stafford should patch like the one in the divisional patch or if this is definitely not right?

That "combination" formation sign set up does not look right. The printed S.Staffs title is strange and the whole thing looks recently put together.
There was a printed version of the 59th formation sign, but most seem to have been embroidered as yours is. A close up of that might confirm if it is original or not. These combinations have been faked to death and genuine ones should be quite scarce, but they were worn.

CB