I have chanced upon what may have been the first consignment of ribbons and maple leaf emblems to the U.K. A 29 cubic foot case, weighing 370lbs, and variously described as enclosing ‘Maple Leaves Sterling Silver’ and ‘Badges and Ribbons’ was despatched aboard the Pasteur (E.802), sailing as convoy AT 87A 21 January 1944, and consigned to the ‘Commandant, R.A.O.C., C.O.D., Branston, Staffs’. Presumably these would have been available for distribution from February.
