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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Divisional Insignia illustrations


Chris Foster

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When we were putting together the"Craven's Part In The Great War " website, in 2006 . It was decided to include Divisonal insignia amongst other things to the indvidual soldiers entries.

By cross reference from V Wheeler-Holohan's book Divisional and other signs ( Naval & Military press) and Mike Chappells

British Battle Insignia ( Osprey) I hand painted 74 insignia, which were then scanned into the computer to be added to the site.

I've decided to post the illustration's on the forum to share with the member's my efforts, and hopefully add something to the GWF

Regards

Chris

The Guards Division

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1st Division (Regular)

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2nd Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220969313.jpg

3rd Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220969410.jpg

4the Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220969472.jpg

more to follow

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Great stuff Chris, I've spent hours looking for images of coloured divisional patches. Out of interest, does Wheeler-Holohan's book include battle patches?

Jon

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Thanks Jon,

I honestly can't remember if battle patches were incuded in Wheeler-Holohan's book or not. I borrowed it from a friend.

What I do know is the Div insignia were all B/W illustration's and thats why I bought Mike Chappells book.

Regards

Chris

5th Division (Regular)

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6th Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220974388.jpg

7th Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220974441.jpg

8th Division (Regular)

post-16754-1220974492.jpg

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I am waiting with baited breath Chris , I have been trying to identify such an insignia for months , its not in mike chappels book either . I had a picture posted on here a few times with no luck , lets see if you have it ! ( its a triangle on the left side of a tropical , egypt /salonika helmet ) Trev

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9th Division (Scottish ) ( New Army)

post-16754-1220975918.jpg

10th Division (Irish) ( New Army)

post-16754-1220975980.jpg

11th Division (Northern) ( New Army)

post-16754-1220976075.jpg

12th Division (Eastern) ( New Army)

post-16754-1220976138.jpg

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13th Division (Western) (New Army)

post-16754-1220977068.jpg

14th Division (Light) (New Army)

post-16754-1220977149.jpg

15th Division (Scottish) (New Army)

post-16754-1220977208.jpg

16th Division ( Irish ) ( New Army)

post-16754-1220977275.jpg

That's all for now

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Excellent Chris, I am sure you will have many takers , for myself I look forward to the 19th. Butterfly Div. & I hope the" original " 35th. Div.

Cheers.

Colin

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Hey, ya can't stop now, I was waiting for the 21st to come up!

regards

Arm

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Player's did sets of cigarette cards on these from 1922 onwards. Original sets can be acquired on eBay quite cheaply.

The series can be viewed here:

Corp and Divisional Signs

I think it's also important to remember that far from all these signs were worn on uniforms - many only appeared on transport etc - and it wasn't until 1918 until they became anything like widely worn (on service dress) and even then not universally. It's moot whether some of them - the 52nd Div's L-shield-saltire for example - were ever used in the war at all, and were actually 1919 Army of Occupation designs.

Best wishes,

GT.

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17th Division (Northern) (New Army)

post-16754-1221033593.jpg

18th Division (Eastern) (New Army)

post-16754-1221033693.jpg

19th Division (Western) (New Army)

post-16754-1221033766.jpg

20th Division (Light) (New Army)

post-16754-1221033827.jpg

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29th Divison (Regular)

post-16754-1221062158.jpg

30th Division (New Army)

post-16754-1221062243.jpg

31st Division (New Army) This insignia was used up until July 1917.

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31st Division ( New Army ) The rose insignia replaced the one above from July onwards

Yorkshire regiments & Divisional troops White rose superior

post-16754-1221062644.jpg

Lancashire regiments, red rose superior

post-16754-1221062718.jpg

32nd Divison (New Army)

post-16754-1221063080.jpg

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33rd Division (New Army)

post-16754-1221149268.jpg

34th Division (New Army)

post-16754-1221145441.jpg

35th Division ( New Army) Original insignia, a Bantam representing the the "Bantam" Battalions that made up the 35th Div.

Please note .This is my own rather simplified interpretation, as I had no reference to draw from . In Mike Chappell's book British Battle Insignia he notes that an original example is on display at the the Royal Army Museum in Brussels, with a silver bullion rooster on a scarlet patch . If anyone as a photo of the this insignia, I would be very interested in a copy.

post-16754-1221147019.jpg

35th Division (New Army) later version

post-16754-1221146612.jpg

36th Division (Ulster) (New Army

post-16754-1221146708.jpg

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33rd Division (New Army)

Chris, I think your 33rd div patch is the wrong way up - the visible edge should be at the bottom, not the top.

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Chris, I think your 33rd div patch is the wrong way up - the visible edge should be at the bottom, not the top.

Many thanks Andrew. I stand corrected !

Change made

Regards

Chris

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Hello Chris , this is a pic I received from a member who's name escapes me for the moment. I don't know if it is the "original" ref. the notation ?

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Excellent, well done.

regards

Arm

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