WW2 7TH ARMOURED BRIGADE PATCH SET IN SOUTH AFRICA

  The badge is derived from that of its original parent formation, 7th Armoured Division. The design was changed in significant details and comprised a white circular background, with red border, enclosing the rat. The rat appears as green, brown or grey, some perhaps being originally green that suffered degradation through wear. The green rat seems to have been the intended colour and was adopted as a reminder of the unit's service in the Burma jungle and was known as the 'jungle rat'. This badge was adopted some time after the Brigade returned from Burma at the end of 1942 and was definitely in use when the Brigade went to Italy in May 1944. On the outbreak of war in 1939 the Brigade was a Regular Army formation in Egypt with the title of Light Armoured Brigade (Egypt). It was redesignated on 16 February 1940 as 7th Light Armoured Brigade, and was further re-titled on 16 April 1940 as 7th Armoured Brigade. It became an Armoured Brigade Group on 1 March 1942, reverting to an armoured brigade on 4 June 1943. On 1 May 1945 it was redesignated and reorganized as an armoured brigade Type B, that is without an infantry component and outside a divisional organization. The formation was initially under command of British Troops Egypt but joined the Mobile (later 7th Armoured) Division in December 1939. It fought with 7th Armoured until November 1941 when it was withdrawn and at the beginning of 1942 was  sent to Burma where it arrived at Rangoon on 21 February, with just two regiments under command, 7 Hussars and 2RTR. The Brigade fought in the retreat from Burma and went to India at the end of May 1942. At the beginning of October 1942 the Brigade was sent to join 'Paiforce' to deal with the unrest in Iraq and Syria. It was withdrawn to Egypt at the end of September 1943. The Brigade deployed to Italy at the beginning of May 1944 where it fought throughout the campaign to the final thrust through the Po Valley. At the conclusion of hostilities it formed part of the occupation forces in Austria. Comes with blazer badge for veteran.Pin intact   Local buyer R110 POSTNET OVERSEAS BIDDER SEE POSTAGE RATES TABLE FOR SHIPPING OPTIONS