brigade shoulder flash

jim wrote:

I thought the cross keys was 2 Div?

5 Inf Bde wore the 2 Div flash until 1 May 58 until moving to 4 Div with this change a new formation sign was required as in the past the Brigade had worn the cross keys of the Division it was decided to retain the key to commemorate the long association with the 2nd Division the bayonet was crossed with the key and the number five in the upper apex set on a red square red being the Infantry colour as shown on the British Army in Iserlon 1947 to 1994 link on the Iserlohn page
Regards
Steve

Crossed Keys that's the one Paul.

Mike

That clears that up then, Cheers Steve.

I was in Minden in the early 60's with 1st Bn Worcestershire Rgt and we certainly had the Battle axe shoulder flash of the 11 inf Brig.
We were still wearing the old Battle Dress at that time. However the new No2 dress was introduced and shoulder flashes were not worn on No2 dress, in fact Only rank insignia was allowed at first and eventually LSGC stripes and marksman, signaller, bandsman etc badges were allowed but only one, ie a marksman signaller with a LSGC stripe could only wear one of them. This may have been peculiar to 1Worc R at the time as our CO and RSM had some very strange interpretations of dress code as I recall. Officers, NCO's and Bandsmen only could wear stable belts, Combat jackets could NOT be worn over BD. Combat kit could only be worn whilst on duty. Certainly not for walking out. No 2 trousers could not be worn with shirtsleeve order only BD trousers with gaiters or puttees (this lasted 'til BD withdrawn) as I said some strange ideas.

jackfo wrote:

The insignia I remember for 11 Infantry Bde looked like a pair of Gothic-looking 'seriffed' brackets back to back with a cross tie binding them at the narrowest point, which I thought might be an abstract heraldic version of the number eleven or even the letter 'E' (Imagine two 'E's back to back). I wonder now if perhaps this was due to my complete misunderstanding of a stylised battle axe symbol. I shall have to dig out my old scrap book. (Like I said, very keen).

I believe you're right there. It was called the "lazy H" in yellow on a black background (it looked a bit Chinese) and the HQ was in Quebec Barracks in the Traz in around 1966/67.

MsG

Hey Guys, if you are interested in unit/formation flashes take a look at this site ... www.petergh.f2s.com/flashes.html .. there is a ton of info there but could not see one as described above re 'Battle Axe' flash.

Len (Ciphers)

Hi, interesting web site, by coincidence the Brigade Flash example shown 2Inf was mine.

They were part of 1 Corps in the 50's along with 7 Armoured Div, 11 Armoured Div and of course the Cream of the British Army, 6 Armoured Div who were honoured to have me as a member.

Len (Ciphers}

When I arrived at 4 armd wksps Hannover in 1955, I wore the charging bull flash. Posted to Kunsebeck, later in 1955, I wore the Quadrant, A white background with four red segments on it. 4th inf div.

I wore this flash when serving with 20th Armd Bde & Sigs Sqn during period 1975 - 1977

Been about lab 1950...What`s it all about .Were you in great demand or did everyone want rid of you?As you are not RA i`ll give you the benefit of the doubt...

Wish that being in demand was true Gordon - just the luck of the draw really.

I think I need to start a new thread where we can all give a potted history of where we have been and what units we served with plus the time span spent in each

lab1950 wrote:

I wore this flash when serving with 20th Armd Bde & Sigs Sqn during period 1975 - 1977

Looks a bit rude to me!

[quote="lab1950

I think I need to start a new thread where we can all give a potted history of where we have been and what units we served with plus the time span spent in each [/quote]

I think you've already accomplished that on the left side of the box mate !

Shelldrake wrote:

lab1950 wrote:

I wore this flash when serving with 20th Armd Bde & Sigs Sqn during period 1975 - 1977

Looks a bit rude to me!

In the days when such insignia were worn, that one was called a "W***ing Spanner".

@brum

I had forgotten that explanation but you are right - could explain why most of 20 Bde HQ & Sigs Sqn (200) were often referred to as a right bunch of w*****s

Shurely..not the Royal Signals Sah.

We were also known as the Brothel Knockers

Len (Ciphers)

Definedly an improvement. Thank you .