What the hell is that?

[jimuk]

Hi there-
Have a look at this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=13963

The Greek translation is: "We work silently" in the sense that "we work without expecting any reward or acknowledgment". If the badge was designed by a Greek, then his spelling was pretty crap, since the second word should have a "thita" as its last-before-end letter and not an "o". Hence I am siding with what the seller has said that it is probably a unit using a Greek motto (they could have chosen a better one!!) rather than this beloging to some unit with recruits of Greek ancestry (which is possible considering the low number on the reverse).But the big question is, what is it for? The seller does mention some information but I was wondering if anybody here really know what this is. Thanks in advance, best

JimUK

[Jim Maclean]

Interesting badge, I've never seen one either but would take a guess at it being some form of intelligence unit, hence the "Quiet work" motto.
The badge is also reminiscent of the British Intelligence Corps cap badge, with the rose signifying "sub rosa" or in secrecy.
My best guess
Jim

[jimuk]

Interesting badge, I've never seen one either but would take a guess at it being some form of intelligence unit, hence the "Quiet work" motto.
The badge is also reminiscent of the British Intelligence Corps cap badge, with the rose signifying "sub rosa" or in secrecy.
My best guess
Jim

Hi Jim-
Intelligence unit? Sounds very plausible, especially if you consider the low numbering. Any other takers? Best

JimUK

[Adam H]

I noticed this badge too and I know I have seen one before....somewhere. I'm also convinced it has a connection to Intelligence but I've gone through most of the references I have and I cannot find a match anywhere. Looked through a bunch of old auction catalogues as well.

It's certainly not for a Greek-Canadian or Jewish-Canadian unit of any sort as suggested in the listing.

I'll keep digging but I've about given up hope!

Cheers,

Adam

[leigh kitchen]

Similar to an Israeli badge

This is very similar to a small white metal badge I aquired in Israel in 1981 (have'nt got it to hand). It's of the same sort of size & manufacture as various other little breast badges, such as Golani Commando, armoured infantryman etc that I aquired at the same time - I've always taken it to be a breast badge of the Intel Corps or service. But "Canada"..........?

[stevenn]

Iq?

Look under university battalions in Charlton's book or the WWII book??.Can't find it in Babin's.Isn't theTudor Rose the badge of Military Intellegence corps throughout the Commonwealth?Answering questions with questions makes things more interesting.It's also easier than going through 20 boxes of books this time of the day.

[leigh kitchen]

Rose?

Look under university battalions in Charlton's book or the WWII book??.Can't find it in Babin's.Isn't theTudor Rose the badge of Military Intellegence corps throughout the Commonwealth?Answering questions with questions makes things more interesting.It's also easier than going through 20 boxes of books this time of the day.

Tudor Rose? Brit infantrymen always claimed that it was a pansy resting on its laurels, & that the reason the Int Corps was'nt "Royal" was because King George VI disapproved of their unethical, scheming ways. Maybe he was the one that coined the "green slime" soubriquet. I haven't got access to my books, but a similar little badge appears in volumes of the old Israeli "Born in Battle" series which were around in the 80's (in Israel anyway). The badge that they show has the same Greek lettering or whatever, but I can't for the life of me remember the meaning or significance.

[stevenn]

Have gone through my books,although the one I really want is missing,and can't find the badge. I don't have my book on Canadian Corp's badges (Could be in there).It wasn't in the WWII book. Can't help but feel that it's something to do with 'intelligence' -"let's write the moto in the Greek alphabet instead of Greek phonetically put into our alphabet" and see who classically educated and hire them.

[leigh kitchen]

It's taken about 7 months to sus out, but I've finally twigged it - Cypher Personnel of the British Intelligence Corps, lapel badge - they were one of the departments that first formed the Int Corps in 1940.

[jimuk]

Hi Leigh-
Better late than never!! Thank you for that information. Does anybody know of what this particular office was involved with or its history? All the best

JimUK

[leigh kitchen]

I just know that it existed prior to 1940 & joined the Int Corps when formed that year.
Presumably worn by civilian staff as it's a lapel badge rather than breast, collar or shoulder insignia?
In 1981 I picked up some Israeli badges in Tel Aviv, amongst them was a similar badge in antique finish white metal with a flimsy brooch fitting, same construction & general appearance as navy diver etc, following the "pattern" of Israeli breast badges.
Unfortunately these badges & some specimen US medals are about the only flaming things I've ever traded (got me 3 old bearskins & a pickelhaube or Waterloo medal, so it made sense I suppose), but if anyone's got the "Born in Battle" books on the Israeli armed forces a photo of the badge appears in the volume on the army (I've got the book but have'nt got access to it).