2nd Battalion Essex Regiment 56th Infantry Brigade, 49th Division badge set
This badge set is what Infantry Soldiers would have worn on their Battle Dress clothing when based in UK and on combat operations.
- British 56th Independent Infantry Brigade, 49th Division during Operation Overlord Invasion of Europe Normandy 1944
This Badge set would have been worn by all Infantry soldiers of the 2nd Essex Regiment, 56th Brigade took part in the Normandy landings, liberated Bayeux on 7 June leaving the town mainly intact. All were involved in the taking of Tilly-sur-Seulles with the 2nd Essex finally investing the town. Later actions were north of St Germain d'Ectot and the liberation of Thury-Harcourt in the Suisse Normande. It was prominent in the drive towards Le Havre and the 49th was one of the assault divisions taking the city in Operaation Astonia in September 1944. Continuing to fight in Belgium at Poppel and then the Netherlands it was the assault brigade for the final Assault on Arhnem in April 1945. The 56th served well, and ended the war in Germany.
He was a member of the 49th Division and so wears the Div patch, Brigade patch and Infantry Arm of service stripes (Middle Brigade) on both upper Arms with his Regimental shoulder titles above these.
