GRA

Another commemorative medal/coin to Kronprinsens husarregemente, this one is for the 150th anniversary of the regiment.

Kevin Shannon's "Death or Glory, the 17th/21st Lancers 1922-1993" lists H.C. Carden as CO 1946-47 and includes a couple of photos of him as well. /Jonas

Thanks Tony. Yes, since I have a family connection to the regiment, I was very happy to find it. Sadly it seems like no complete regimental history was ever written, what exists is mostly about the regiment's participation in the Thirty Years War. /Jonas

Silver medal issued to commemorate Västgöta regementes 390th(!) anniversary. Tracing its origin to the decree of Arboga möte in 1536, it was one of the oldest Swedish regiments in existence when it was disbanded in 1927. In 1811 the regiment dismounted, changing from cavalry to infantry - hence the Thirty Years War trooper and the 1920's infantryman. My paternal grandmother's great-grandfather served as a sharpshooter in the regiment in the 19th Century. /Jonas

Bronze medal issued to commemorate the disbandment of Kronprinsens husarregemente. Reverse shows the standard, commemorating the regiment's sole battle honour - Bornhöft 1813 (Dec 7th). Field Marshal Blücher started his career in the regiment as a teenager, he was later captured and joined the Prussian Army and the rest is history! /Jonas

The 31st Air Assault Battalion having recently (officially) changed designation to 31st Ranger Battalion, individuals are now eligible for local validation for the Army Ranger tab. As the regiment hasn't had any Ranger battalions for 20-ish years, the Army Ranger tab wasn't awarded locally though training was equivalent to the Army Ranger Battalion in Arvidsjaur. The unit insignia is worn on the left arm, the tab on the right.

32nd Intelligence Battalion 32nd Int Bn + 323rd Parachute Ranger Sqn (the parachute element of the battalion) regimental Ranger tab (wear permit restricted to regiment only) trained Parachute Ranger + Jump Master Army Ranger tab, worn by some (wear permit unrestricted once awarded)

Here's one Swedish-badged from the late 90's, when fashion dictated mini-sized berets. Next to it a Kangol for size comparison. /Jonas

As stated above, fanjunkare rank slides of technician/engineer branch. They remind me of a version of rank slides in use in the '80s when I was in the Swedish Air Cadets. The rank was abolished for regulars in the early '80s (it has since returned), with fanjunkare being promoted to officer rank (1st Lt?), so they would have been used before 1982-ish. These slides were used on working dress, not on battle dress (m/59). /Jonas

OK, just the standard picture, then. I know you could have the blade custom engraved with your name at the factory shop. Thanks for asking your friend. /Jonas

As far as I've understood, it is not uncommon in Finland for different military courses/schools to have a knife (well, scabbard...) manufactured as a souvenir. I can't remember whether I saw any when I was in Rovaniemi some 20 years ago (the Marttiini knife factory is in Rovaniemi). Maybe our Finnish members can shed some light on the matter? /Jonas

It looks like one of these; https://www.marttiini.fi/epages/MarttiiniShop.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/MarttiiniShop/Products/240010 https://www.marttiini.fi/epages/MarttiiniShop.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/MarttiiniShop/Products/250010 I have a 240 myself, minus the badges. Handy piece of kit. Michael, is the blade engraved? /Jonas

Hello Jean-Samuel! It is most probably a Finnish medal. You might find some clues here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southwest_Finland As to Swedish connections, well, there was... A long time ago... 200+ years... /Jonas

One of my souvenirs from national service... /Jonas

According to "Battle Honours of the British and Commonwealth Armies" (Baker, 1986), 4/6 Rajputana Rifles was awarded the following battle honours: Alem Hamza (1941), Ruweisat Ridge (1942), El Alamein (1942), Matmata Hills (1943), Akarit (1943), Djebel Garci (1943) and North Africa 1940-43. MG/6 Rajputana Rifles was awarded Akarit (1943) and North Africa 1940-43. 17/6 was awarded North Africa 1940-43. I couldn't find any Indian units among the 1st Army battle honours, so I assume that all the above mentioned battalions of the 6th Rajputana Rifles would be entitled to the 8th Army clasp. /Jonas