WW2 Battledress: 1944-45 insignia placement

[filfoster]

I'm sorry if this has been answered before; I couldn't find it.

I understand the regimental patch was worn as near as possible to the shoulder seam;  

I also believe I read the downward tip of chevron rank stripes were about 9" below the shoulder seam, centered in the sleeve.

Were the additional division and arm of service patches just evenly spaced between? 

[filfoster]

...and is it correct to say that in the field, many units wore none for security reasons?

[filfoster]

I find it odd that none of the Osprey WW1 or WW2 references include the measures for these, nor does the Brassey's WW1 British uniform book. I haven't seen yet the newer Campaign photo reference books.

[filfoster]

The closest I've found is this Canadian civil defense illustration. Did it mirror the WW2 Brtish Army regs?

[filfoster]

Bump.  I'm sure there were regs. I just don't have a lead on access to them. Anyone?

[filfoster]

You might say, "Well, Phil, you're being too anal about this, aren't you?"  Maybe but if I'm going to the trouble of sewing this stuff myself, I don't want to read months later that it's not correctly spaced and so to have to redo it.

[Guards Armoured]

insignia on battledress regulations Bouchery.pdfHi Phil,

I also thought there but must be more on spacing of badges etc., but Howard Cole in his classic books probably never thought of collectors wanting to return badges to the sleeves they had come from and none of the other publications I know seem to give measurements. With one exception: Jean Bouchery has this in "The British Soldier" - hope it will answer some of your questions.

Edited March 13, 2023 by Guards Armoured
Typo

[filfoster]

Guards Armoured: Thank you!  At least now I have something to reference if anyone questions the spacing. Pretty close to what I had guessed but this is a good reference.

[Farkas]

Hi Gents,

i spot an opportunity to post some pics!

 

These are my battle dresses from the early 50’s, I believe the insignia to be untouched and original (🫰)

 

The first thing I note is the Guards Regimental insignia (2cm) is exactly along the seam between the shoulder and arm.
These are then the measurements.

 

Guardsman 👇

Officer 👇

and on a yeomanry/hussars officers 👇

Lastly a RMC battledress for good measure (pun intended!) , this 👇 one measures total 6cm from the shoulder seam to the top of the triangular commando insignia though the unit insignia is lower than the Guards ones.

.

20, 40 & 55/60 mm seem to be the markers whether by regulation or being good to the eye.

 

Hope this helps 👍

 

tony

[filfoster]

Farkas: Yes, thanks!  Do you have any Other Ranks with chevrons that might show the measures from the shoulder seam?

[Farkas]

7 hours ago, filfoster said:

Farkas: Yes, thanks!  Do you have any Other Ranks with chevrons that might show the measures from the shoulder seam?

No battledress with them but I do have a random handful (put together for pic 👇), though different ranks, ages, units and dress styles it seems all are roughly the same.

All measure 180/190 mm from shoulder seam to the middle angle at the top of the stripe.

At a push I’d say the two with insignia above are more 190, the other 3 are more 180.

 

👍

tony

[filfoster]

Farkas: Thank you

[Farkas]

I spotted this going cheap the other day, I had to buy it just to measure it!

 

Both arms have stripes, placement measures 195mm ( shoulder patch is 5mm off the seam) from the shoulder seam to the middle angle of the stripes

👇👇

 

 

Most interesting to find was the stripes are not placed centrally on the outside arm cloth panel. 👇👇. (Left sleeve) 

They are 45mm from the rear arm seam

and 80mm from the front seam…

 

The stripes themselves are 110mm wide.

👍

tony

 

 

[Guards Armoured]

I finally managed to dig out a few post-war other ranks’ battle dress blouses that I believe to be originally badged by unit tailors. 
You will note that shoulder titles, as Tony already pointed, almost touch the shoulder seams.  The top edge of the chevrons is 16 cm from the shoulder seam on the RMP blouse and 18.5 cm on the Queen’s Own Buffs (perhaps to allow for extra space for the colour sergeant’s crown?).

Best

Robert

[Farkas]

A real nice looking trio there… 👍👍

[filfoster]

FARKAS and Guards Armoured: Thank you!  Beautiful stuff! And, very helpful. I can now sew with confidence.