Hi, does anyone know why a private in the A&SH would wear the anchor symbol (naval?) as shown in the attached photo? His daughter told me has wounded at Caen in '44 and then was posted as a gunner on Russian convoys. Any help greatly appreciated. Regards Pete
http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30072458 Orkney and Shetland Defences & Osdef badge, formation, home district, Orkney and Shetland Defences & Osdef. © IWM (INS 6484)IWM Non Commercial Licence
Two battalions of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders served under OSDEF. The 11th Battalion is shown below: HQ Shetland Defences, OSDEF – 22 September 1941 to 14 October 1942 The 11th Battalion left the 154th Infantry Brigade on September 22nd, 1941 and moved to Fochabers. It was then sent to Sumburgh in the Shetlands as part of OSDEF on airfield and coast defence duties. It remained at Sumburgh until the first half of October 1942. It rejoined the 44th Infantry Brigade on the mainland on October 14th, 1942.
The 15th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders also served under OSDEF. HQ Orkney Area, OSDEF – 24 February 1941 to 5 November 1941 In March 1941 the 15th Battalion moved to the Orkneys, where it remained for more than two years. It was located at Scapa Flow in the Orkneys in August 1941. 207th Independent Infantry Brigade – 5 November 1941 to 14 July 1943 It joined the 207th Independent Infantry Brigade on November 5th, 1941 in the Orkneys. It was then reformed as the 2nd Battalion on May 28th, 1942 (May 5th, 1942). It transferred to 227th Infantry Brigade in Caithness on July 15th, 1943.