WW2 61st Infantry Division Felt Cloth Formation Sign

Removed from uniform. A red felt diamond in the centre of a blue felt cloth square. In good condition. Worn from 1939 - 1946 only.

Raised in 1939 as part of the expansion of the Territorial Army in response to the German occupation of Czechoslovakia. The division was created as a duplicate of the 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division, and was assigned to home defence duties. Whilst the division was never deployed overseas, its headquarters staff was deployed to Norway and briefly fought in the Norwegian Campaign. The Division was part of Home Forces and sent to Northern Ireland in 1940 as a result of rumours of a potential German invasion. It was widely dispersed, first over the counties of Londonderry and Antrim, later over Armargh, Tyrone and Fermanagh. On its return to England in 1943, it was mobilized for service in North West Europe but was stood down and became a training and drafting formation. In August 1945 it was re-mobilized as a Light Division for service in the Far East but the war against Japan ended before the formation moved overseas. The Division was disbanded in 1946.

The origin of the badge's design is unknown and the Second World War emblem bears no resemblance to the sign worn by the Division during 1914-18.

Comm MaWi

Code: 69796