Can anybody help me identify a couple of things in this photo, what is the badge on the arm of the soldier being inspected by the military dignitary the other thing is who is the dignitary doing the inspection, the photo was taken on Gibralter in either 1941, 1942 or early 1943 as the Battalion left Gib in late 43 thanks in advance. Tony
All I can suggest is reading throught the war diaries for their time in Gib to see what visitors they had. Detecting your browser settings WO 176/202 GIBRALTAR: Infantry: 4 Devonshire Regiment. Covering dates 1940 June-1943 Jan.
If you mean this one http://www.gnmilitaria.co.uk/viewphoto.php?x=0 click for more images Devonshire Regiment. Scarce printed WW II example of the red sword and bowl on a dark green background worn by the 4th. Battalion of the Devons
i went to the Regimental museum in Dorchester and had a look through all their books and only found one quick mention the the 4th Devons were attached to the 2nd Gibraltar Brigade but could some verify that this is the badge for this brigade. Tony
Hi Tony, I'm not sure this will help much really, but I do remember reading that the West Country battalions chose to incorporate a red sword rising vertically in their insignia, as a reference to 'Excalibur' from Arthurian legend. What division this might of been I know not?
I went onto another forum dealing in such matters and these are the two replies thus far: 1). 4 Devons served in 45,55 and 61 Inf Divs in WW2 - and also I believe in 2 Gibraltar Inf Bde from Apr 41 - Apr 43. Consequently never fought in action in WW2. 2). Just to clarify, the patch you have shown is not a divisional sign, it is for 4th Devons and they would have worn it underneath the sign of the division to which they were attached as well as arm of service strip(s)
this photo came from a collection of photos all taken on Gibraltar, but is the only one showing this patch. They never saw any action as stated above 39-41 with the 45th Div, 41-43 based on Gib, 43-45 in the UK first at the School of Infantry at Barnard Castle in County Durham, then moving south to rejoin the 45th Div, 45 joined the 61st Light Div for service in the Far East, Brigade disbanded and Battalion sailed for Italy and then to Austria for occupation duties with 78th Div and then 48th Div, 1947 returned to uk. As for the photo there is only the patch on the arm as there is no room for anything above the patch not even shoulder titles. The rising sword of the 77th Div, i can see the resemblance, but the only Devons in that div were possibly the 12th (before they got sent to Bulford and the 6th Airborne Div) and the 11th Battalion who got sent to Ireland in 1942 untill May 1943 they returned to Dorset to join 206 Independent brigade untill they got disbanded in September of the same year.
Just resurrecting this thread a little, i have finally been able to identify this badge and what it stands for, many thanks to the members of the British Badge Forum. As mentioned in previous posts it is specifically for the 4th Devons and represents the cap of maintenance and ceremonial sword giving to the city of Exeter by King Henry V11 in 1497 in gratitude of the cities loyalty during the siege by the rebel army of Pirken Warbeck during his bid to grab the throne from Henry, Exeter City Council : Regalia apparently original versions of this badge come in printed and embroided examples.