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Object: Orkney and Shetland Defences cloth shoulder badge

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A cloth home-district formation badge intended to be sewn on the upper shoulder of a soldier's battle dress blouse (jacket). The badge has a dark blue backing and a red embroidered foiled anchor. It represents the Orkney and Shetland Defences (OSDEF). While outwardly appearing to be a naval iconography, the deep blue and red colours reflect the army Royal Artillery units that would have made up the majority of the coastal and anti-aircraft gunnery crews. The fouled anchor represents the highly significant role these gunners played in defending the Royal Navy Home Fleet anchored in Scapa Flow.

The badge was purchased on eBay for £10.00 in 2024.

Image reuse licence agreement: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Object: Orkney and Shetland Defences cloth shoulder badge the Frontline Ulster Collection