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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: mmm45 on Sunday 16 May 10 11:40 BST (UK)
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Hi
Can anyone suggest a unit that a guy would belong to if he has on his Battledress a set of parachutists wings on his right hand breast over the pocket as opposed to been on the arm?
Theres no other shoulder title or insignia visible just a glimpse of his medal ribbons and maybe the pegasus on his right arm (but its a photocopied photo so hard to make out)
Thanks
Ady
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Single wing or double wing Ady?
Single wing breast badge, with a parachute surrounded by a wreath was RAF Parachute Training Instructor. Like Navigator, WOp etc
K
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Hi K
No its double wings just like a paras except on his battledress breast not on arm.
Only thing i can see online is SOE and also that after 3 operational descents that it sometimes happened!
They arent SAS wings phot is about 1945/46
Ady
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Just had a look at a couple of references and the Canadian Airborne wore (and looks like they still wear) a winged-parachute badge on their breast.
Here's a pic of the breast and sleeve:
http://www.paravet.ca/1st-Can.html
(http://www.paravet.ca/images-large/Para1-6.jpg)
K
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No mate...they are on the other side of battledress not above medal ribbons and look like British Para wings of the time
Thanks for looking ;)
Ady
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Hi K
The only thing I can think of is the Glider Pilot Regiment as they wore the wings on the right brest
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Hi
No they arent Glider Pilot Wings they look like British Para Wings and only people I have seen are SOE Operators wearing them in that fashion.
Thanks for looking
Ady
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A picture is worth a thousand words.
I have the book "Parachute Badges and Insignia of the World" by R.J. Bragg & Roy Turner, Blanford Press.
If you can get your hands on an edition of this book I would suggest it might well answer your question. Conversely if you wish to post a picture I will look it up for you.
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It could possibly be an RAF technical expert who "volunteered" for a special mission, such as the Bruneval raid to obtain components of German "Radar" equipment. Just an idea to look for something out of the ordinary.
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Easier to do it this way.
From "Parachute Badges and Insignia of the World" by R.J. Bragg & Roy Turner, Blanford Press the listings under Great Britain.
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/coo245.jpg)
(http://i135.photobucket.com/albums/q137/DavidLayne/coo246.jpg)
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If he is wearing it "a la" SOE it could mean that he was seconded from his unit to the Special Operations Executive, set up under Churchills orders to "Set Europe Ablaze." Their job was to land in occupied Europe and gather intelligence as well as directing resistance cells and sabotage.
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Yes my first thoughts were SOE but think he was attached to Indian Airborne in ww2 I think they originally wore wings on chest. but havent confirmed it Have mislaid photo at moment...more research needed :)
Thanks
Ady
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mmm45, I've looked into this a bit more, it seems he could of been part of Force 136 in SE Asia. This was the codename given to the SOE in that theatre between 41 - 45. Do you have a picture of the medal ribbons as they may also give a clue as to his area of service?
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Hi and thanks for your interest I will post the photo once Ive relocated it its been sucked into the vortex of a room clearout!! :)
Ady
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Sorry that the Far East link was a mistake he was definately in NW europe.
Heres the photo definately para wings on chest and im sure that is a pegasus on his arm.Its circa 1945 as they have campaign medals.
Ady
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All I would say, if there is still the question of why the wings are on the wrong side of his uniform, is that it may be that because he was getting married he may have got good quality material for the uniform and asked a tailor to make up the uniform "made to measure" The civilian tailor may have sewn the wings on the wrong side in error. My dad asked a tailor to make a special uniform up for him when he got married on 23rd June 1940. His army issue kit was in a sorry state having been evacuated from France just the previous week.
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I'd guess we're back to the possible SOE link?
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Sorry...Been away...
have seen this particular badge set up before, and am trying to remember where...wait out ;)
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In the present issue [173] of The Decko (journal of the Burma Star), there's a chap in there asking about his dad. He thinks his Dad was in 6th Battalion and says he had the Burma Star, which is surprising, as I didn't think 6th Battalion made it there. He is also wearing parachute wings over his right breast. Sixth battalion were formed from 10th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Any relevance here?