1st Gordons insignia on Battle Dress, NWE, 1945

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by alberk, Aug 8, 2021.

  1. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    My research online produced conflicting information regarding the tartan patches worn on the Battle Dress blouse. My question: What did the 1st Bn Gordon Higlanders wear in late in the war, in 1945 at the time of the Rhine crossing? A curved narrow piece of tartan on the top seam of the arm? Or a broader, more rectangular piece worn on mid-upper sleeve? The latter would probably have been word under the HD formation sign and the two reds bars indicating brigade...

    Any suggestions? It is hard to find photographic evidence for the second variant.

    Thanks for your hell!
     
  2. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Not sure of the Battalion, but intermediate brigade of the 51st - unfortunately no date or details but from the collar and ribbons I'd be thinking 45-46. From an old article in Military illustrated the 5/7th wore the small rectangle with a red bar running down it to distinguish themselves from the 1st who wore the curved strip as both Battalions were brigaded together.

    The recent book "Badges on Battledress" may provide an answer if anyone has it - seems a cracking book (over 2 volumes) but beyond my means at the moment

    Scan11733.JPG
     
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  3. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    AB64 - thank you. Very helpful.So the man in the photo would more likely be 1st Gordons.
    Because the 2nd Gordons in 15th Scottish Div were not in the intermediate brigade...
     
  4. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    He has the HD flash so would be either 1st or 5/7th Gordons, but as mentioned the magazine article suggests he is 1st Battalion - I should add the article is probably 20+ years old and I have heard that some of the info in it has been questioned, but in the main it seems solid and well researched
     
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  5. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    That is a soldier of 5/7th Gordons in Normandy. Rectangular piece of tartan - is it placed under the top seam of the arm or at the bottom of the shoulder strap? Still does not say anything about 1st Gordons...
    5 and7th Gordons Normandy.png

    same here-- 5/7th
    5 and 7th close.png
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2021
  6. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Montgomery talking to Lt Col Anderson, 1st Gordons... so I suppose it is a thin arched strip of tartan that they wore at the the top seam of the arm.
    Montgomery and 1st Gordons officer.png
     
  7. Wayne Easton

    Wayne Easton Member

    My uncle Charles Easton was a driver with the Gordon Highlanders. Alas I only have two pix of him of the period. One at Lüneburg Heath in 1945, in front of his truck. And another posing with a pal for a card I'm assuming to send home. There is a motif on his shoulder patch/upper sleeve but it's hard to make out & well is monochrome of course.
     
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  8. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Thank you, Wayne! My research seems to confirm that 1st Gordons wore a tartan "arch" at the very top of the arm.
    Abzeichen nah.JPG
     
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  9. Wayne Easton

    Wayne Easton Member

    The 'tartan arch' is there on Charlie's battledress blouse thing, not quite sure what is under it. Charlie is on the left hand side in this pic. Other than these few pix & the info on the reverse we know so little about his experiences during WWII. One uncle I had on my mothers side (three were called up) was in the R.A. I have his army number, Company ref the lot. So tracking is possible, if I had the will. Will attach the said image of Charlie & an unknown pal.
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. Wayne Easton

    Wayne Easton Member

    Oh it did upload. Not used to posting much on this site....
     
  11. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Nice photo, under his Tartan strip he has the sign of the "Rhine Army Training Centre"
     
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  12. Wayne Easton

    Wayne Easton Member

    The :"Rhine Army Training Centre". That's grand, aye a bit more info to look into. Here's a pic of my uncle at Lüneburg, June 1945 in front of his truck.. I wish there were more WWII service pix of family. Undoubtedly there might be, it's just I don't have them.
     

    Attached Files:

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