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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Bumblemum on Monday 27 January 14 12:16 GMT (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I'm hoping someone might be able to help with this arm badge, this is a picture of my dad in WW2, as far as we know he was in the 8th army serving in the Middle East, Iraq, North Africa and Italy. I cant find any info on the badge or what it symbolises, it looks like a cat to me.
Thanks in advance
Bumblemum
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Apparently the 56th London Infantry Division Black Cats Formation Badge, Territorial Army, and & 1st (London) Infantry Division.
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30071823
Stan
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Wow that was fast, thanks for the info Stan and the link, lots of really interesting info there, will pass on to my brother who is researching Dads military history.
Bumblemum :)
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World War II
At the outbreak of war in September 1939, the division was mobilised as motorised infantry under the title of the 1st London Division. It was reorganised as an infantry division in June 1940 and redesignated as the 56th (London) Infantry Division on 18 November 1940. The divisional insignia during the Second World War was changed to an outline of a black cat in a red background. The cat stood for Dick Whittington's cat, a symbol of London.
The division remained in the United Kingdom during the Battle of France, moving to the Middle East in November 1942, where it served in Iraq and Palestine until moving to Egypt in March 1943 and thence forward to Libya, and the front, in April. This involved the division travelling some 2,300 miles by road, a notable achievement and testament to the organization of the division and the ability of its mechanics and technicians. The division sat out the Allied invasion of Sicily (except for the 168th Brigade, which was attached to the understrength 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division and moved to Italy in September 1943 and saw service in the Battle of Monte Cassino, in January, serving there until March 1944 and participated in the Anzio Campaign. After being withdrawn to Egypt at the end of March, the division returned to Italy in July 1944, where it took part in the Battles along the Gothic Line and remained there until after VE Day.
After crossing the Volturno in October 1943, the division entered the town of Calvi Vecchia. Their attempts to radio the United States Fifth Army to cancel a planned bombing on the town failed. As a last resort, the 56th released an American homing pigeon named G.I. Joe, which carried a message that reached the allies just as the planes were being warmed up. The attack was called off and the town was saved from the planned air assault.[1][2]
Order of battle
World War II
The division comprised four infantry brigades:
167th (London) Infantry Brigade
8th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
9th Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment)
7th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
168th (London) Brigade
1st London Scottish Regiment
1st London Irish Rifles
10th Royal Berkshire Regiment
1st Welch Regiment
169th (London) Infantry Brigade
2nd/5th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
2nd/6th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
2nd/7th Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey)
201st Guards Motor Brigade
3rd Coldstream Guards
6th Grenadier Guards
The 24th Guards Brigade was assigned to the Division in Italy on 18 February 1945.[3]
Battles
World War II
Enfidaville – 19 April 1943 – 29 April 1943
Tunis – 5 May 1943 – 12 May 1943
Salerno – 9 September 1943 – 18 September 1943
Capture of Naples – 22 September 1943 – 1 October 1943
Volturno Crossing – 12 October 1943 – 15 October 1943
Monte Camino – 5 November 1943 – 9 December 1943
Garigliano Crossing – 17 January 1944 – 31 January 1944
Anzio – 22 January 1944 – 22 May 1944
Gothic Line – 25 August 1944 – 22 September 1944
Coriano – 3 September 1944 – 15 September 1944
Rimini Line – 14 September 1944 – 21 September 1944
Lamone Crossing – 2 December 1944 – 13 December 1944
Argenta Gap – 12 April 1945 – 21 April 1945
here is a little more info
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Thanks Bugle Boy,
So much information, what can I say but 'thankyou' for all your effort.
Bumblemum