The INDIANA JONES OF EBAY does it again !!...........I have managed to  purchase  THREE militaria collections.....&  TWO Police collections.....mainly patches, badges,insignia & headgear.

One of the main collection of patches & insignia, is a real treasure trove......I showed samples from it to one dealer who wanted to buy the entire collection...but I would rather let YOU the collectors have a chance than him  obtain them solely for profit.

The origianal owner  collected  some  older RARER patches...and also   filled the gaps of 'difficult / impossible to find 'items with good reproduction patches. I am Not an expert...........so this collection of  patches will be listed as low priced NO reserve........there are genuine and some good repros...I am not sure which is which....come on bag  a bargain.............any q's please email me.

DO NOT MISS OUT

NO RESERVE

This item is  a SINGLE  of  cloth  shoulder  title showing a  skyblue lettering  on an RAF/ROC blue background  

I understand these are from the D-DAY ROYAL OBSERVER CORPS SEABORNE  shoulder title.For the members of the ROC that were  attatched to D-DAY ships.

Seaborne Observers

In 1944, during preparations for the invasion of France, (Operation Overlord), a request for volunteers from within the ranks of the ROC produced 1,094 highly qualified candidates, from which 796 were selected to perform aircraft recognition duties as Seaborne Observers.

These Seaborne Observers, under the command of Group Commandant C.G.Cooke, undertook specialist training at the Royal Bath Hotel, Bournemouth, prior to being temporarily seconded to the Royal Navy with the rank of Petty Officer (Aircraft Identifier). The Seaborne Observers continued to wear their ROC uniform, but in addition wore a "SEABORNE" shoulder flash and Royal Navy brassard bearing the letters "RN". During the D-day landings, two Seaborne Observers were allocated to all participating US Navy vessels and Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships. The Seaborne Observers assumed control of each ship's anti aircraft batteries with the intention of reducing the previously high incidence of friendly fire, (collateral damage), between allied vessels and allied aircraft. The success of the Seaborne Observers in undertaking this role can be measured by a signal sent from Wing Commander P.B. Lucas, Air Staff Officer, who stated that:

"The general impression amongst the Spitfire wings, covering our land and naval forces over and off the beach-head, appears to be that in the majority of cases the fire has come from British Navy warships and not from the merchant ships. Indeed I personally have yet to hear a single pilot report that a merchant vessel had opened fire on him"

During Operation Overlord a total of two Seaborne Observers lost their lives, several more were injured and twenty two survived their ships being sunk. In addition, ten Seaborne Observers were mentioned in despatches. The deployment of Seaborne Observers was regarded as an unqualified success and in recognition for their contribution to the success of the landings, King George Vl approved the permanent wearing of the SEABORNE shoulder flash on the ROC uniforms of those individuals who had taken part. Following the invasion, Air Chief Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory wrote a message which was circulated to all ROC personnel:

"I have read reports from both pilots and naval officers regarding the Seaborne volunteers on board merchant vessels during recent operations. All reports agree that the Seaborne volunteers have more than fulfilled their duties and have undoubtedly saved many of our aircraft from being engaged by our ships guns. I should be grateful if you would please convey to all ranks of the Royal Observer Corps, and in particular to the Seaborne observers themselves, how grateful I, and all pilots in the Allied Expeditionary Air Force, are for their assistance, which has contributed in no small measure to the safety of our own aircraft, and also to the efficient protection of the ships at sea.

The work of the Royal Observer Corps is quite often unjustly overlooked, and receives little recognition, and I therefore wish that the service they rendered on this occasion be as widely advertised as possible, and all units of the Air Defence of Great Britain are therefore to be informed of the success of this latest venture of the Royal Observer Corps."

thanks Wiki

I am sure that you experts can  correct me or supply other details.

This is in nice condition .

aprox 130 x 30

DO NOT MISS OUT.

combine ANY amount of  patches,badges ,epaulettes or insignia  for ONE post charge

Postage - please check for country- or email me for details

For insignia unless otherwise listed

this item  has FREE shipping to

the UK,RECORDED

to EUROPE-AIRMAIL

to the USA & CANADA-AIRMAIL

to AUSTRALIA & The Far EAST AIRMAIL 

Express , insured or courrier on request.if this item  goes for a higher price insured is recommended but up to you.