Author Topic: WW2 Army Parachutist wings  (Read 15153 times)

Offline mmm45

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WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« on: Sunday 16 May 10 11:40 BST (UK) »
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
Lowe(Lower Gornall-Castleford)
Blackburn (Castleford)
Sidwell(Ledsham)
Fairburn(Hartshead)
Wood(Liversedge)
Tallon (Whittington Lancs/Hartshead West Yorkshire)

Researching all Great War soldiers from the Spen Valley of West Yorkshire Especially lads from the Cleckheaton Company of 1/4th West Riding Regiment.

Offline kyt

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 16 May 10 11:55 BST (UK) »
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

Offline mmm45

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 16 May 10 12:23 BST (UK) »
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
Lowe(Lower Gornall-Castleford)
Blackburn (Castleford)
Sidwell(Ledsham)
Fairburn(Hartshead)
Wood(Liversedge)
Tallon (Whittington Lancs/Hartshead West Yorkshire)

Researching all Great War soldiers from the Spen Valley of West Yorkshire Especially lads from the Cleckheaton Company of 1/4th West Riding Regiment.

Offline kyt

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 16 May 10 12:34 BST (UK) »
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



K


Offline mmm45

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 16 May 10 16:32 BST (UK) »
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
Lowe(Lower Gornall-Castleford)
Blackburn (Castleford)
Sidwell(Ledsham)
Fairburn(Hartshead)
Wood(Liversedge)
Tallon (Whittington Lancs/Hartshead West Yorkshire)

Researching all Great War soldiers from the Spen Valley of West Yorkshire Especially lads from the Cleckheaton Company of 1/4th West Riding Regiment.

Offline Odin432

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 21 August 11 08:37 BST (UK) »
Hi K
The only thing I can think of is the Glider Pilot  Regiment as they wore the wings on the right brest

Offline mmm45

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 21 August 11 10:46 BST (UK) »
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
Lowe(Lower Gornall-Castleford)
Blackburn (Castleford)
Sidwell(Ledsham)
Fairburn(Hartshead)
Wood(Liversedge)
Tallon (Whittington Lancs/Hartshead West Yorkshire)

Researching all Great War soldiers from the Spen Valley of West Yorkshire Especially lads from the Cleckheaton Company of 1/4th West Riding Regiment.

Offline David Layne

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 21 August 11 14:24 BST (UK) »
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.

Offline ScouseBoy

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Re: WW2 Army Parachutist wings
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 21 August 11 14:43 BST (UK) »
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.
Nursall   ~    Buckinghamshire
Avies ~   Norwich