milhistry

Photographs recently shown on the Bid or Buy auction site confirm this to be the collar badge of the Karroo Schutters. The cap badge was the general service badge of the time i.e. union arms in garter surmounted by crown. The OC KS was Lt Col Steyn. See: http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/197439192/RARE_Framed_photo_of_the_14th_Dismounted_regiment_KARROO_SCHUTTERS_with_names_and_rare_badges.html

Badge is Auckland Regiment (Countess of Ranfurly's Own) a territorial infantry unit.

They were enigmatic to me too. Fortunately I found some books with good photographs from the era. C 86 still confuses me a bit. I have not come across any photos showing it being worn. Also no mention in 1934 Dress regs. I suspect it may be a creation of an enterprising Egyptian or Italian tailor, possibly to go on the khaki beret SAAF crews often wore in Europe in WW2. C 94 seems to be more common (worn on the SD cap. Photos show it being worn in 1971 already. I suspect C93 may have been tge earlier version but am still looking for confirmation.

Regiment Oos Rand. HQ'd in Benoni. The white metal rose is however missing off the badge.

Lovely drawings! They all appear to be Rhodesia African Rifles and predecessors

'Dress blues' can refer to either the old Full Dress as above or more often to the simpler 'Undress' uniform that was plain blue with a high collar. The collars are for full dress c. 1930s. Gilt collar badges were worn with 'Undress' uniform. Cap badge you posted with them is circa 1952 colonel and brigadier cap badge.

Brilliant collection!

Brilliant! The things dreams are made of! The khaki one matches the desciption for "Tunic, Full Dress" under the 1934 Dress Regulations for the Union Defence Forces. The 1934 regs also mention Blue Full Dress, presumably for winter wear. Very few occasions that these would be worn. Perhaps the wearer was an ADC to someone important.

"A West pointer with the Boers" by Colonel F Blake is worth a read in this regard. He headed the Irish Brigade which included a number of Americans

Transvaal horse artillery ?

Green grey uniforms were worn by army and air force 1920s to 1930s in review order.polo pattern helmet was worn 1934 onwards. Flash is not the usual sky blue air force one....

Thanks! I've managed to get a copy of his citation from the National Archives in the UK, although it doesn't add much more than we already know. It says he "showed great determination and bravery during the approach battle to the river Po. Period 1 Apr 45 - 3 May 45" briefly mentions the minefield incident and capturing "10 germans" (but virtually no detail on how he did it) as well as some general comments about having "shown great initiative and resourcefulness and has displayed courageous leadership". Yesterday I managed to find a photograph in a book "War in Italy" by Jack Cross. Although he is not indexed he appears in a photo with two other Sapper officers. I will collate what I have thus far and add some detail to the post in due course.

As it's all metal my guess would be a Warrant Officer cap badge rather than an officer. Economy versions were worn by some officers in WW2 that were all metal on a black felt padding but this is not one of those (the economy version unlikely to have had the jewels coloured etc.). The RFC did not wear this design it only came out once they were the RAF. I suspect this is a more modern badge. Judging by the size of the crown relative to the rest it could even be a beret badge. My guess would be post war but pre St Edward's crown era.

I am after additional information about Major Edward "Ted" Pavitt, MC. He was O/C 11 Field Park Company, SAEC, in 1945 and involved in the "Springbok Bridge" over the River Po. He apparently captured some Germans while armed with only a torch. More detail about that incident in particular would be most welcome as well as a photograph of Maj Pavitt if anyone has one. Also any photographs of the Springbok Bridge, 11 Fd Coy and other units that were there would be welcome. Thanks!

Shield shaped, metal & enamel flash, 1980s-2000s. 1 SSB.