Kiwifi Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 I have recently cleared out my late Mothers house and have found this selection of ribbons. They were obtained by her father, the late Major James DW Harris and sent to his wife, Mabel who at the time was working for the YWCA in Northern Ireland. The ones with the German and French ribbons appear to be home made, but I seek advice or guidance about them all. I assume they were sent to Mabel during WW2 as Major James wrote 'on active service' on his envelope to her. Any insights into this little collection would be much appreciated. The three 'bottle green' eagle / swastika ones are all attached together (unused??). I literally know nothing about any of the insignia so would love to learn more if possible. I didn't know they existed until a couple of weeks ago... TIA Kiwifi explanation, see texts further down explanation, see texts further down Presumably hand made cockades in the Allied colours, Belgium, England, France, probably made in the last days of the war, either for resistance or for "liberation celebrations" at the end of the war. Kriegsmarine - German Navy, 2 roundels or cockades worn as one below the eagle on the sidecap (so-called overseas cap) Kriegsmarine arm patch (left arm), indicating rank of Maat/Mate (n.c.o.rank) and administration branch, has been removed from a unform top large eagle is a Naval breast eagle (worn on right side) of dark blue naval blouse, below, Naval overseas cap eagle for the fieldgrey land uniform large eagle for naval tunic-blouse 3 naval overseas cap eagles: dark blue for regular navy blue overseas cap (worn above cockade), yellow on dark green for the overseas cap in fieldgrey later yellow on fieldgrey for overseas cap in fieldgrey 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 Here are some examples of how the insignia was worn: Field grey overseas cap for naval land uniform, early type till around 1940/41 - early insignia with darkgreen backing. Insignia on the dark blue naval overseas cap A uniform photo of a German sailor shows the breasteagle on the tunic-blouse, as well as several awards for war service I would recommend leaving all items unaltered and not cut - avoid contact with dirt and dust! You have a small fortune on your hands! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kiwifi Posted January 7, 2019 Author Share Posted January 7, 2019 Excellent. Thank you very much. Major Jim was an army man, so I am quite intrigued as to how he accumulated his small collection of naval insignia. Do any of the patches shown have any value? Are they of interest to collectors / museums?? TIA Kiwifi 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fritz Posted January 7, 2019 Share Posted January 7, 2019 There were military and naval depots in the region of the French coast, also Paris, Brussels, all ports and main cities in occupied Europe and elsewhere. I even saw these badges in the port of Athens and on Crete about 30 years ago. After these regions fell, they were plundered. Collectors and Museums would certainly be interested. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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