Submitted by Les CABLE (45B)

At AAS Arborfield I was in 45B intake, ‘B’ Company and trained as an Armourer. After passing out I spent nearly all of my time in Kenya and Rhodesia attached to the King’s African Rifles, eventually joining the Rhodesian Army for ten years and a further three years with the Zambian Army.

In 1956 I returned to the U.K. to finish my eight years with the colours and during that time was stationed at Farnborough where I became friendly with the landlady of the pub in Aldershot called, of all things, “The Rat Pit”. During Victorian times dogs were set against rats in a pit in the backyard. Anyway, she used to get cloth badges off the soldiers coming into the pub and would then sew them onto the curtains and cushions. It generated trade obviously. As I too collected she would keep any duplicates for me and I would take along my new ones that I had spare.

I believe it was in 1954 or 1956 that I visited her whilst on leave from Rhodesia. She gave me the “Fish Badge” and told me that a group of soldiers had called in the previous day, all wearing it. Unfortunately she was unable to supply any more details.

The design measuring 40mm X 30mm was that originally worn by 2 Corps during World War II (1939-1945), which had ceased to exist by 1946.

The Formation which I am trying to identify adopted this wartime design in the mid-1950s, but in a larger format measuring 65mm X 50mm. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who can supply the information I am seeking. Please contact:

Les Cable,

7 Grove Avenue,

Weymouth,

Dorset,

DT4 7RA,

United Kingdom

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