WW2 D-Day - 56th Independent Infantry Brigade 1st pattern Woven Felt Formation Sign, cut down as usually found

An original (not one of this much copied formation signs) on muted yellow felt cut down from a rectangle (see my item 61580 for a 1st pattern example not cut down). The cut down circular versions, or second pattern, occurred later when they lost their independence as a brigade and joined the 49th Division. This one as worn by members of the Brigade on D Day. Removed from uniform, with the correct black backing to the reverse as found on the 1st pattern of this formation sign. (See my item 58817 for the second pattern version which has in part a white mesh backing found on the cut down varieties).

The 56th was one of the independent brigades of the 21st Army Group, landing in Normandy on D-Day 6th June 1944.

The choice of the sphinx was made because it was a feature of the cap badges of the three Regiments of the Brigade - The South Wales Borderers; the Gloucestershire Regiment and the Essex Regiment.

See also:

https://www.britishbadgeforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=78021&highlight=56th+Infantry+brigade

Cole p130 / BoBD (Jon Mills) 3199 refer.

Comm BoHa (120)

Code: 63987