Badges

[Blaydon]

Can anyone help me identify the badges in these photos of my grandfather?

both cap and sleeve

[alanbenn]

Kev, I think the top badge in the 1st photo is the badge of the London Scottish regiment, not sure what the thistle badge is below though.

If you haven't already come across it here's a link to the website


http://www.londonscottishregt.org/


Regards
Alan

[Blaydon]

The cap badge doesn't seem to be london scottish although the shoulder titles are and no one seems to know what the thistle badge is or the round badge at the top of his arm.

[Joseph]

Kev the top badge could be the Divisional badge for the 51st Highland Division, I have enlarged it but cannot quite make it out.

Regards Charles

[Blaydon]

I was wondering if it could be a GHQ badge?

[jainso31]

I've answered this before somewhere else-I think the round patch under the shoulder title is the insignia of WW2 South Eastern Command which incl.the
47th London Infantry Division; which were retained in the UK throughout the
entire war period; this unit incl.141 Brigade in which served 2nd Battalion the London Scottish.


jainso31

[Blaydon]

Have some trouble with his badges, It seems he was not London Scottish but Royal Artillery and one theory is that he was attached to LS as an instructor and that is why he is wearing the titles.

[jainso31]

Hi Kev
I've been following this one for a day or two; you now say he was a Royal
Artillery man-yet he is wearing the full uniform of a London Scottish soldier
ie.the Gllengarry with the cap badge,the shoulder title,the thistle emblem and absolutely no sign whatsoever of being RA- I confess this has me beat.
Why would an Artilleryman be instructing infantry ?and why change uniform?
I did notice a vestige of medal ribbon above his tunic pocket or am I seeing
things!?
Do please elaborate on on the Royal Artillery aspect.
PS. he was an artileryman but exchanged into the London Scottish.?I think I know the answer now; but will check -be back tomorrow

jainso31

[Blaydon]

I contacted the London Scottish who had no record of him whatsoever. He was definitely Royal Artillery at the start of the war and for some time working AA guns ( He was a regular in the Gunners club in Aberdeen ) and everyone in the family agrees to him being RA.

Strange items here:

1. The cap badge does not appear to be London Scottish as it appears that the one he is wearing has a crown and lion at the top which the LS doesn't.
2. He is wearing LS titles but was not LS.
3. His sleeve badges do not seem to be consistent with the titles.

It is a bit of a conundrum.

As to medals he was awarded 6
General Service Medal Which he is wearing in the photo.
And these later:
1939-45 War medal
Defence Medal
France and Germany Star
1939-45 Star
QE2 Coronation Medal

[jainso31]

Hi Kev
This last is a VERY LARGE SPANNER!
However,I am now reasonably certain that Glengarry and cap badge are KOSB; but does not that relate to the rest of the uniform-just maybe, and I mean maybe; he was wearing someone elses tunic-daft as it sounds!
You say that the medal ribbon is GSM -OK-It is likely for Palastine 1936-39.or 1945/48
As he was not a recipient of the Africa Star,he must have come home pre WW2 start.
Looking at the sleeve badges again,I think the thistle emblem is possibly the
15th Scottish Inf.Div.; which fought in the NW Europe campaign 1944/5.
oddly enough this Division contained 6/KOSB!?I must confess that the only tie here is the F&G Star
This a doozy and will run I'm sure-I thought I knew but I DO NOT!SORRY!
PS The Aberdeen RA (TA) Regt. was the 75th Field/Medium/Heavy and fought in Nth Africa and italy


jainso31

[Blaydon]

Yes the GSM was for service in the RN 1935-6 when he was a seaman on HMS Laurel and HMS Amethyst.

I suspected the cap badge did not match the titles so that comes as no shock, I begin to wonder if he was on a run into the city and basically cobbled together an outfit from whatever his pals were wearing. I really wish he were alive to explain this, although he is probably looking down sniggering at my consternation.

Going to take a run at the RA Association in the hope of gleaning more.

Thanks for your help.