Hey guys! I came across this photo of a lad from the 6th SWB of the 36th Division in Burma, I think the photo must have been taken in Britain when he came back or perhaps India? Anyway what is this patch he has and why does he have it? Cheers, Alex
Very similar to the US CBI patch. Here's one on here like the one in the photo. Rare WW2 Chinese Army in India Cloth Patch, being an embroidered arm patch in similar style to th
36 Div was attached to Northern Combat Area Command which was an American formation. A British soldier wouldn't wear two formation flashes, but it was something unusual to talk about. 36th Infantry Division (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia
36 Division had an unusual role in North Burma in 1944/45, being assigned to Stilwell's American/Chinese Northern Combat Area Command. They had US air support, assistance from American engineers and logistics and the divisional arty was supplemented by several Chinese batteries for a while. I've not seen a 36 Div soldier wearing one of these patches before, but a very close working relationship was fostered between the different elements of N.C.A.C. with men being attached to other units in the organisation to get the job done. War diaries from the division have frequent mentions of cooperation with US and Chinese troops, and in many pictures of 36 Div you'll often see an American serviceman or two knocking about in the background. Possibly this chap was working a role somewhere in the organisation that entitled him to the badge.
I'm trying to find out more about the 6th SWB & their service in Burma. There is a great write-up about the battalion here 6th SWB 36th Division Burma Can anybody else point e the direction of any other good information sources? Si
The regimental history of the South Wales Borderers exists in five volumes. Volume 5 covers the 6th Battalion. Unfortunately, I have all the volumes except for Volume 5. Brett, G.A. et al. History of the South Wales Borderers and The Monmouthshire Regiment, 1937-1952. Parts I-V. Pontypool: Hughes and Son Ltd., 1953-56. Part 1 – 1937-52 by G.A. Brett Part 2 - The 2nd Battalion, the South Wales Borderers, D Day 1944 to 1945 by J. T. Boon Part 3 - The 2nd Battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1933-1952 by G. A. Brett Part 4 - The 3rd Battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, 1939-1945 by J. J. How Part 5 - The 6th Battalion, the South Wales Borderers, 1940-1945
Yes, it is the Chinese Army in India badge; I have seen this photograph before on Facebook, originally posted by descendants, I think, and then regurgitated many times in the normal FB way. No one seems to know what it really means. It seems unlikely that a BOR was posted to the Chinese Army, but who knows. Bear in mind that serge BD was not worn in Burma, and that this photo possibly shows his ‘repat’ BD that he went home in when repatriated. These blouses are not uncommon and tend to include every bit of possible insignia – they are meant for showing-off, to some extent, and don’t necessarily represent anything worn in more official circumstances. It really is a bit of a one-off, and it would great to know if it has any greater significance. Ask the bloke’s family would be the best starting point.
