| Place | Middle East: French Mandate for Syria and Lebanon, Lebanon, Beirut Tripoli Area, Beirut |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | REL25386 |
| Collection type | Heraldry |
| Object type | Badge |
| Physical description | Wool |
| Location | Main Bld: World War 2 Gallery: Gallery 1 - Mediterranean: Lebanon-Syria |
| Maker |
Unknown |
| Place made | France |
| Date made | c 1940-1941 |
| Conflict |
Second World War, 1939-1945 |
Cloth unit badge embroidered with '8' : Vichy French Forces
Description
Blue/black diamond shaped wool cloth badge with two parallel blue/grey stripes across the edge of the top of the badge. Embroidered in the middle of the badge is a red '8'.
History / Summary
This badge was acquired by NX525 Lieutenant Hugh Gregory Quail, a crew commander in A Squadron, 6 Division Cavalry Regiment, A.I.F.It was collected from a Vichy French army barracks on the first day of the occupation of Beirut by the AIF on 16 July 1941. Lieutenant Quail's Bren Gun Carrier and crew were amongst the first troops to enter the city.