ask information about 1 ss brigade badge in the dday

Thank you very much for this amount of information. it's fantastic. thank you all.

I enclose what is written in Bill Millin's biography:
"He wears the following badges on the sleeve from top to bottom: 1 st special service brigade (it will be quickly disconnected in Normandy, the French being surprised by this 1st SS brigade) and the round badge commandos with the mention" united we conquer "and finally the piper badge.+

The book is written living bill.
what surprises me is 2 things:
- So the brigade badge we talked about and the "united we conquer" me, I never saw that on the dday's badge.
What is your opinion on all this.
It seems to speak of a badge ss brigade disconnected quickly in Normandy.

Christophe

Christophe
Your enquiring mind is commendable - but I think your questions have been answered

There was no recorded specific '1st Special Service Brigade' title. More likely the 'COMMANDO' title in red on black (dark blue officially) would be worn by Brigade HQ personnel. Component units had their own numbered titles in red on black after 1942.
The Combined Operations Badge of Eagle, Tommy Gun and Fouled Anchor - arguably symbolised 'United we Conquer' although not bearing the motto
It is possible a piper badge was worn.

Yes - I have the Billy Millin book and am pleased to have it in my library. It is a fine tribute; like the statue to Billy Millin.

Without wanting to cause any offence, I have spoken to dozens of veterans in the past and know recollections of insignia often require clarification. Quite possibly Bill mentioned the 'SS Brigade title' meaning the Generic 'COMMANDO' title. Yet someone has interpreted it as reference to a specific, non existent 'SS Brigade' title.

As you will know, the Special Service Brigade name changed to Command Brigade in Dec44-Jan1945, with the Commando Group badge being adopted in place of the Combined Operations badge soon after (Fighting knife facing point upwards on triangular backing, the backing being point down).

You may come across a red on pale blue title 'FIRST COMMANDO BRIGADE' said to be made for the victory parade - there is no known photograph of it ever being worn.

I hope this is helpful
Mike

My father was enlisted into 1st. Special Service Battalion - 10/11/1940 as per my avatar no 1st. Special Service Battalion - badge nor patch?
Kevin

Hello Kevin
Your father was an early volunteer - as indicated by his early pre 1942 insignia of No.1 Commando - it is a great image and shows unofficial shoulder designations, along with Salamander. 1st Special Service Battalion existed roughly from Nov 1940 to March 1941, and subsequently formed Nos 1 and 2 Commandos. The insignia shows your father went to No.1 Commando. I have often admired your avitar as it shows such early insignia. You will appreciate No.1 Special Service Battalion and No.1 Commando are quite different from No.1 Special Service/Commando Brigade. Very briefly, No.1 Cdo found itself in No.3 Special Service/Commando Brigade and distinguished itself in the Far East, notably on Hill 170. I am proud to have known and interviewed such characters as Henry Brown and Brigadier Ken Trevor who were leading members of No.1 Cdo, and No.3 Special Service/Commando Brigade
Not strictly related to this thread though, but good to clarify.
Regards
Mike

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 03/10/2018 19:41:20

This was my father's service record.

Born March 1905 Barmouth, Merionethshire. Enlisted Royal Welch Fusiliers (Regular Army) Wrexham - 3/12/1923 Posted depot - Royal Welch Fusiliers - 9/12/1923 2nd. Battalion - Royal Welch Fusiliers - 12/8/1924 1st. Battalion - Royal Welch Fusiliers - 2/10/1925 Army Reserve - 21/11/1933 Mustered at Wrexham - 2/10/1939 8th. Battalion - Royal Welch Fusiliers - 6/1/1940 9th. Independent Company - 15/5/1940 1st. Special Service Battalion - 10/11/1940 No.1 Commando - 4/3/1941 Posted to 204 Military Mission - India Command (China) 17/3/1942 Transferred to Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers -7/3/1943 Discharged in the rank of WO1 to a commission - 13/12/1943 Emergency Commission as 2nd Lt Indian Army Ordnance Corps - 14/12/1943 Posted COD Agra - 16/1/1944 Returned to UK - 11/9/1945 Released from military service, date not known Died September 1974

He was a NCO at the same time as Henry Brown and they kept in contact, Henry visited dad in Barmouth mid 1960's early 70'sl

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/10/2018 07:09:13

Kevin - a great record, very much as I assumed. Interesting that he went to Mission 204, I do not think many from No.1 Cdo did. It was Far East as you know, like 3 SS/Cdo Bde. Quite a few veterans of Layforce went out there with Mission 204 when Layforce was broken up. I corresponded with a couple of them - both from No.11 Cdo (C Bn Layforce) - Walter Marshal and Jock Anderson, both veterans of Litani River. Henry Brown was a legend. But we digress from the theme of Christophe's thread.
Mike

Hello everyone. No problem if we move away from the thread. All these exchanges are really very interesting. I am delighted to have joined your forum.

Christophe

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 04/10/2018 19:22:46

Christophe. New to the forum?
Kevin

Hello Kevin,
Yes I joined the forum last week.
Christophe