British, WW2, Pair of 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division Cloth Formation Signs – “Parrot Badge with Red Eye” – Original Wartime Sleeve Patches

*British, WW2, Pair of 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division Cloth Formation Signs – “Parrot Badge with Red Eye” – Original Wartime Sleeve Patches*

An original pair of British World War II 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division cloth formation signs, commonly referred to as the "Parrot Badge." These wartime embroidered formation signs feature the division’s distinctive dark blue macaw perched on a perch within a red diamond, all set against a dark blue circular wool backing. Both examples display the characteristic red eye detail seen on some wartime variations of the design. Intended for battledress wear, such insignia were commonly worn as matching sleeve patches and surviving wartime pairs are increasingly difficult to find together, particularly when showing evidence of original uniform use.

Approx. Measurements – Each: 4.7 cm x 5 cm.

History Note:
The insignia features a stylised dark blue macaw parrot sitting on a perch enclosed within a red diamond on a dark blue field. According to wartime tradition and accounts preserved by the Imperial War Museums, the badge was adopted in 1940 after the division returned from Dunkirk. A live macaw was reportedly kept at Divisional Headquarters and, when a newly appointed commander first entered the building, the bird supposedly squawked “Good luck!”, leading to the parrot becoming the division’s unofficial mascot and ultimately the inspiration for the formation sign.

The 48th (South Midland) Infantry Division was a Territorial Army formation with origins prior to the First World War. During the Second World War it served in France during the 1940 campaign before evacuation at Dunkirk. Following its return to Britain the division undertook home defence, reserve and training duties. These embroidered wool examples are wartime 1940-pattern variants and would originally have been worn on the upper sleeves of the battledress blouse.

*Condition*
Please see photographs as part of the condition report. Original wartime embroidered wool construction showing age and service wear throughout. One badge remains in good overall condition with expected age-related wear, loose fibres and minor handling marks. The second example displays significant edge loss and damage, likely resulting from period removal from a battledress uniform, with portions of the wool backing missing. Wear and age-related service use evident throughout. Despite this, both examples remain clearly identifiable and display well as an original wartime pair.

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