Insignia

October 1943 the ILH amalgamated with the KR and was allocated to the 11th SA Brigade detached to the 6th SA Armoured Division where it saw much action in Italy.

Veterans blazer badge unused

Wire embroidered

The Division went to India in August 1943. In November 1943, it lost a Brigade when the 3rd Brigade left to join Wingate’s Special Force (‘Chindits’), forming six columns. As a two-brigade formation under XV Indian Corps (15th Indian Corps), 14th Army, the Division operated in Burma. In December 1943 it crossed the hills into the Kaladan Valley and operated on the left flank of the main advance in the First Arakan campaign. It was the first large formation to be wholly supplied by air. After the withdrawal from the Arakan it reorganized, the Brigade Groups reverting to Brigades in September 1944. In January 1945 the Division again advanced down the Kaladan Valley and took part in the successful assault on Myohaung. It returned to India in March 1945.

Cloth embroidered

Mounted on plaque

Wire embroidered

Formed on 2 February 1945 by renumbering South African manned 262 Squadron RAF which was operating Catalinas from Congella (Durban harbour) and St Lucia on the Natal coast and from Langebaan on the West Cape coast. In April 1945 the squadron received the first of 16 Sunderland GR 5s, but peace prevented the squadron from going to the Far East and the Sunderlands were used for ferrying South African troops home from Cairo.

Cloth embroidered

Taken off uniform

Felt version

Issued in 1944 for its work in the Desert war with the 8^th Army

Worn on the sleeve

Cloth embroidered

Rare

Wire embroidered blazer pocket badge

1922-63

1st Battalion

Enamel & silver

Complete with chain

Brooch pin intact

Has ring on rear for small chain which is missing

Pin intact

Rare