Would slip-on shoulder epaulettes be worn instead of the cloth patch, or as well as? If not, what was the reason behind the slip-ons?
Easiest query this year The slip-ons were slipped -off when you washed your KDs (Khaki Drill) See attached pic and also my avatar pic, top right image Ron
Thank-You Ron. So it wasn't a case of a temporary or hasty change of regiment then. Would the red embroidered regiment patch be worn at the top of the arm as well?
Owen As I just said, can't remember that, but am now going to trawl though my ww2 pics of me wearing KD to check my memory Ron
Owen Just found a pic of me wearing KDs and taken in Rome. On my right sleeve is a Wireless Operator's forked lightning flash which we had to pay for ourselves. If I remember corrrectly we would sew these on to our KD and wear them all summer, then re-sewing them on to BD when winter came. Don't remember doing the same procedure with the red and blue artillery flash Ron
Half remembered: when 4th Indian Div were being moved either from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian Coasts of Italy (or possibly vice-versa), they were told to remove divisional badges and markings in order that enemy be kept temporarily unaware of the move. I always wondered whether this meant snipping threads or merely slipping off epaulettes.
Charley See the first line of my diary entry concerning 78 Div's move to Egypt: BBC - WW2 People's War - The 78th Div Goes to Egypt to Re-Train and Re-Form Ron
Generally speaking, Owen, the slip-on titles were a substitute (Introduced in 1939 on a scale) for the regiment/corps designated metal shoulder titles and were worn in all Theatres, and by all ranks on various uniform apparel. They were by definition a security (removal) and enconomy (cheaper option/non use of metal) measure. That's most certainly not to say that the metal (gilding-metal) shoulder titles were not on issue, or indeed in combination worn on forms of clothing - they could additionally be "Dress" applicable or even worn on some specific slip-on titles by all ranks, too. In fact, the 27th Lancers wore the green and black embroidered slip-on titles initially until they were actually issued with the preferential gilding metal versions at a later date! And, as I'm a Wartime Raised Cavalry collector, I may have a somewhat provincial and lacking knowledge overall, so I hasten to add that other members will no-doubt be far more conversant regarding slip-on embroidered titles, per se. However, those badges of a type sewn on the upper sleeves of the Battle Dress would be the likes of formation signs, arm of service strips and regimental flashes; not necessarily in that order, or indeed worn, at a time. I believe it wasn't until around 1941 that the British once again readopted formation recognition badges for the uniform. And these weren't always permanently affixed to uniforms either (especially in Asia and the Middle East), as they can be found with press studs, or where they were just adequately tacked by a couple of threads at the corners only. Hence, the same standard would have basically applied to the Khaki Drill jacket, and perhaps depending on the regiment, time, place and other distinctions in the use of and type of the slip-on titles for Dress specifics. It's a deep and broad area, so before I confuse myself and anyone else reading this, I'd better resign for the more informed to assist. Best, Marcus
