WWII S.A.S. Grouping

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi Robb
I am no specialist, but arn't those malayan Emergency era SAS wings?
All the best
Chris

[DJT]

Hi Robb,

Regarding the S.A.S. insignia, In my opinion the Wing, Cap Badge and Shoulder titles are all post war. The Pegaus patches look right though.

I`d also like to comment that in my experience genuine S.A.S. veterans dont boast about their service or actions and are the most modest down to earth men I have ever met. So the fact that this guy was "singing it from the treetops" in his local does not ring true for me. Thats not to say that he did`nt serve with them but I`m just giving you my gut feeling.

Regards,

Des

[ROBB]

I thought that if I mentioned he was Known to tell a few stories up the pub I would get that reponse ,(remember these are wartime SAS not the super secretive bunch we have now)but having met a few I find they are quite willing to talk ,anyway ,how would I go about tracing his name ?,If any of you have got special forces books from the war ,may I ask that you check the index next time you read them ,just in case hes mentioned somewhere .And if anyone has a genuine late war set of wings cap badge and shoulder titles in his/her collection I would like to see some pics ,thanks for all your time Rob

[DJT]

Robb,

I am not trying to dismiss your guy as a faker. Like I said he may have served in the S.A.S. but I was just being honest with you and gave my gut feeling. Sorry if that upset you. I just had a quick look through my British S.A.S. books and see no reference to his name. You need to try and find someone who specialises in the wartime British S.A.S. I`m afraid i dont know anyone who does.

By the way wartime S.A.S. veterans can be just as secretive as their present day equivalents. Many if not all of them were told at the end of the war not to talk about their S.A.S. service (The offical secrets act etc..). I had a few veterans tell me that if I had approached them in the 1960/70`s they would`nt have told me anything!. Now they are getting really old they dont care and are happy to talk about their experiences to people who are interested.

I will attach photos of an original Cap badge and a late war wing. The "Special Air Service" shoulder titles are post war. Wartime shoulder titles were 1.S.A.S., 2.S.A.S. etc or simply S.A.S. like the examples on the BD that I posted at the start of the thread.

Regards,

Des

I thought that if I mentioned he was Known to tell a few stories up the pub I would get that reponse ,(remember these are wartime SAS not the super secretive bunch we have now)but having met a few I find they are quite willing to talk ,anyway ,how would I go about tracing his name ?,If any of you have got special forces books from the war ,may I ask that you check the index next time you read them ,just in case hes mentioned somewhere .And if anyone has a genuine late war set of wings cap badge and shoulder titles in his/her collection I would like to see some pics ,thanks for all your time Rob

[DJT]

a late war wing

[ROBB]

Des dont worry I never take offence at anything thats what these forums are for ,so we can exchange pictures and thoughts etc ,but in Peter Taylors book he shows that sas title as the last title worn .As for secretive SAS people ,how about Andy McNab and Chris Ryan to name but a few ,I thought the official secrets act lasted 15 years ,but not when theres money to be had ,anyway I enjoyed Ryans recent series on telly where he had to escape from those Delta and Para guys most amusing ,Rob

[DJT]

Those S.A.S. fiction writers especially McNab were just muppets who sold out. The modern day S.A.S. are very professional and I have alot of respect for them but the WWII guys were made from a different mould. Best of luck researching your neighbour.

Des


As for secretive SAS people ,how about Andy McNab and Chris Ryan to name but a few ,I thought the official secrets act lasted 15 years ,but not when theres money to be had ,anyway I enjoyed Ryans recent series on telly where he had to escape from those Delta and Para guys most amusing ,Rob[/QUOTE]