Regina Rifle Regiment battle dress question

Hello,

I have a question about the rank chevrons worn by the Regina Rifles on their battle dresses in June 1944: were they always coloured, as seen on most photos, or could the standard chevrons still be found on their uniforms? I have read somewhere that the Regina rifles started wearing coloured chevrons at the end of WWII, but I would like to know whether uncoloured chevrons would still be consistent with a BD worn on 6 June 1944 and later during the Battle of Normandy.

Thank you in advance for your replies!

Didier

Here is a photo:



My impression is that the BD is at least partly (or wholly?) made up, in particular as regards the title, but the different elements may be authentic (the BD itself was made in January of 1943).

They should have the dark chevrons for a rifle regiment, in this case with a red backing. Normal chevrons, though not impossible, are a peculiar sight on a rifle regiment battledress. Wouldn't be for me!

Dank je wel, Wouter !
Then I shall have to do away with the chevrons, if they are a later addition. That way, this battle dress blouse will be consistent with a 1944 Regina rifleman impression.
The fact that this could be a made up BD blouse is not a problem for me, provided the insignia are original WWII items. I have come to regard a majority of the WWII BD blouses floating around either as made up or much later "original" stuff anyway.

Here are some closer views of the insignia - genuine or reproductions, that I cannot tell.







Apparently, there is one such configuration at the Canada War Museum of Adegem, in Belgium, but that does not mean that the BD blouse they used for that mannequin is historically correct :

You need to own a copy of 'Fabric of War' by Bill Alexander, his book will answer any question you have about the authenticity of a badge or badge combination found on a BD blouse.

edstorey wrote:You need to own a copy of 'Fabric of War' by Bill Alexander, his book will answer any question you have about the authenticity of a badge or badge combination found on a BD blouse.

Well, actually, as far as the combination is concerned, I have very little hope this one is genuine: too many details point to a more modern set up.

I am not sure I will be able to grab a copy of the book, but I will look for it, thank you.

edstorey wrote:You need to own a copy of 'Fabric of War' by Bill Alexander, his book will answer any question you have about the authenticity of a badge or badge combination found on a BD blouse.

I have ordered the book ^^

For what I understood there are no badge backings in that book, and they are  just as important as the front of the badge.
About the badges on your BD: Titles seem Canadian made to me, can you see the backing, when you lift it a bit?
Divisional badges look also Canadian made (melton) to me because of the cross thread that is visible in the mot nips, felt does not have a cross thread.

Kind regards

From what little surface of the backing is showing underneath the stitching, it seems to be light-coloured.

Bill Alexander says it is difficult to distinguish WW2 Regina Rifle Regiment titles from post-war titles, but the fact remains that the khaki chevrons seem out of place on this tunic, even though they are not altogether impossible.

Regards,

Didier

Light as in tan or khaki? Or white?

I would say it looks a shade lighter than Canadian webbing.

Hence the difference in wear of the badges ,I think it is not very likely this is a wartime badged BD.
So if you want to change the chevrons, i do have a correct pair lying around for you.

I agree with you that this tunic is an unlikely candidate for a wartime battle dress blouse, but, provided its insignia are period-correct, I am happy with it.

A correct pair of corporal chevrons would be great, though

What do you think of the backing of the titles?

You can not go wrong with canvas insignia.

Yes indeed, they were only produced during the Second World War, I have been told.

Canadian made title, I can not tell war or post war. But it representive for ww2, and indeed what Ed says canvas titles always good, you just have to spend a little more money
If the chevrons are something for you contact me via PM.

Cheers

PS I also do have a mk3 helmet for sale at the moment, if you might need one for your d-day impression.

Hey Didier, I read your topic on our French "passion militaria".

I was wondering the same thing about the colour of the NCO ranks.
So I should try to find black on red backing.

Hi Nico
As a matter of fact, I have decided to leave my BD blouse as is - with its khaki chevrons, that is - and go for a Battle of Normandy impression. Bill Alexander (whose book I ordered from Canada a while back) was of the opinion that the khaki chevrons would not have been utterly impossible towards the end of WW2 due to insignia shortages. Okay, I must admit that I have been unable to find any conclusive proof to uphold that theory, but, on the other hand, I have come to like the way my setup now looks, so why should I bother?

This is very good to see.

Did you put a Canadian shell dressing under the helmet net ?

No, I didn't. There were no Canadian shell dressings available in France at the time, so I chose a British one instead, but, who knows, maybe Canadian troops were issued British shell dressings in 1944? That would have to be confirmed by the more knowledgeable members on the forum, though.

Yes they probably got british ones.

May be if you turn it on the other side you don't see the manufacturer name ?

This one is definitely British: manufactured by Robinson & Sons in Chesterfield (Derbyshire, England) in June 1941.

Hello, here come the two different titles I have

Didier wrote:Hi Nico
As a matter of fact, I have decided to leave my BD blouse as is - with its khaki chevrons, that is - and go for a Battle of Normandy impression. Bill Alexander (whose book I ordered from Canada a while back) was of the opinion that the khaki chevrons would not have been utterly impossible towards the end of WW2 due to insignia shortages. Okay, I must admit that I have been unable to find any conclusive proof to uphold that theory, but, on the other hand, I have come to like the way my setup now looks, so why should I bother?

Looks good so far, but I would loose the bandoleer you do not need that with a stengun. And I also doubt if corporals carried bren mags....... But further than that very nice set up.
Do you have a Canadian sten?