What is this badge?

I wonder if anyone can help?

My grandfather served in WW2 in the Army in Burma.

I have a picture of him (attached) and there appears to be badge (cloth) on his arm. I can't seem to find out anything about it though. I.e. what it signifies.

He served with the Chindits in the 13th Kings Regiment. I also know he spent some time in India.

Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Lauren

 

I could be wrong, but it maybe a variation on a patch worn by Allied troops in Norway. Good discussion of the patch here which is worth the read even if I am wrong.

 

It's not a Viking longship.
It's more of an Indian or Arab dhow type boat.
I've asked some Burma & Chindits types over at the 'other place' for help.

 

I'm sure you are correct, Owen. I wasn't too convinced since he served in Burma. I just found a better candidate: British V Army Corps

View attachment 22156

Found here

(I'll quit now and wait for the real experts to weigh in.)

 

I thought V Corps too at first.

 

Appreciate all of the help so far! And some interesting reads!

 

It is the badge of Sind District, which is where 13 Kings went after 77 Ind Bde.

Great photograph.

 

cheers for that.
example of it on the Burma Star website.
http://www.burmastar.org.uk/seac.htm



A Native Craft in Full Sail In White on a Maroon background.

 

Hi Lauren,

That is a great photograph of your grandfather. I have a website in honour of the Chindits in 1943 and the 13th King's Regiment in particular. My own grandfather was a member of the battalion in 1942/43.

My website address is:
http://www.chinditslongcloth1943.com

It would be great to find out more about your grandfather and his time in Burma.

Best wishes

Steve

 

Lauren,

Here is a NCO from the 13th King's who was a member of Column 8 on Operation Longcloth in 1943.

He has both his King's insignia and the badge worn by your grandfather.

View attachment 22158

 

Thank you all so much for your help.

Steve, I have viewed your website and found it extremely interesting. I also managed to locate my grandfather (and one of his friends) on the attached group picture of the 13th King's Brigade. Without everyone's help, I would not have ever seen this and hopefully any information I have may help with your website.

My grandfather is on the third row (from the bottom) - 2nd on the left.

His friend, James (Jim) Howes is on the fifth row (from the bottom) - 1st on the left. He was from the London area. He survived the war dying sometime after my grandfather.

Although we cannot locate him on the photo, my grandfather also remained friends with an Ernest Ruddock (sp?) who served along side him for the 13th Kings.

My grandfather was Edward John Roberts. He was born 9th May 1913 from Buckhurst Hill, Essex and survived the war, dying on 7th November 1976.

My mum recalls being told the following -

• He was lost in the jungle at one point, with him, a friend and a sergeant. We cannot recall who, although my mum remembers Edward confirming Orde Wingate was the commanding officer.
• Edward saying that he had crossed the Irrawaddy River.
• Edward along with others, raided the officer's mess for food as they were starving at one point. They did this in the dark and were only caught when one of the officers shone a torch on them while they were running away with the food!

Having viewed your website, I do not know which Column he was placed under, although he served with both Ernest and James (Jim) for the time he was there, so I would assume they were all part of the same Column.

It was very emotional for my mum to see her Dad on the group photo and would like to thank you very much for the additional information.

Lauren

 

Hi Lauren,

I'm very pleased that you spotted your grandfather and James Howes on that photograph. It was sent to me by the widow of RSM William Livingstone about 6 years ago. You are the first person to recognise anyone in the photo, which is brilliant.

I have not come across Edward or James before during my research, but this is quite normal for men who survived the operation and returned safely to India. However, Ernest Rubbock was a soldier in Column 7 in 1943, serving under Major Kenneth Gilkes. I'm confident this is the same man you mention.

It is difficult to say for sure that this would mean that Edward was also in Column 7 as so many men were posted all around in training. The general rule was that the 13th King's from their original C' Company in 1942 made up Column 7 in training. Does anyone ever recall your grandfather mentioning escaping via China? This would make it more likely he was with Column 7.

In any event, it is great to bump into you and I would dearly like to include something about Edward on the website. If you would like to do this then just leave me a pm on this forum, or fill out a contact email on my home page on the website.

Best wishes

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

I'm really pleased that I've managed to identify at least 2 people in the photo.

No unfortunately, Edward (my grandfather) never mentioned anything about China, although I'm pleased to locate Ernest with Column 7. Neither myself nor my Mum were sure on the spelling of his surname, thinking it must be Ruddock or similar, so Rubbock would make sense.

Yes, I'd be more than happy to have Edward included. I will pm you.

Thanks again,

Lauren

 

Hi All,

For the benefit of all those who have helped and kindly saluted this thread. Here is a close up of Edward Roberts and James Howes, as identified from the Brigade HQ photograph on my website.

Thanks


View attachment 22161