Named British Officer's Fife & Forfar Yeomanry/SAS Blue Patrol Tunic

A very interesting attributed British Army Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Blue Patrol Tunic, having bullion SAS qualification wings originally applied and dated 1952. 

 

The Fife and Forfar Yeomanry was a Scottish Armoured Yeomanry Cavalry Regiment of the British Army originally formed in 1793. In WW2 its tanks saw action in the Normandy landings, Operation Epsom, Operation Goodwood, Operation Bluecoat, the Battle of the Bulge and the Rhine crossing. In 1956 the Regiment was amalgamated with the Scottish Horse to form the Scottish Horse/Fife and Forfar Yeomanry Regiment.  

 

As is well known the British SAS is a renowned special forces unit first formed in 1941 and originally disbanded at the end of WW2, only to be then re-raised in 1947. Its first post war action was famously taking part in counter insurgency operations of the Malayan Emergency; being first deployed there in 1950 and remaining in Malaya until 1958.

 

The Tunic is a standard British Officer's Blue Patrol Tunic having traditional Cavalry chain mail epaulettes to the shoulder, these bearing three brass pips for the rank of Captain. 

To each side of the collar there is then the armoured horseman collar badges of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, with then Fife and Forfar Yeomanry buttons applied throughout. 

What makes the tunic outstanding however is the lovely bullion SAS qualification wings originally applied to the upper right arm. These are of an early configuration with the wings horizontal; later examples having the wings stretching slightly upwards. 

 

To the inside the Tunic has a Scottish tailor’s label bearing the name “Lt. D.R.Turner” and the date May 1952, this being right in the middle of the SAS’s deployment in Malaya. 

Throughout its history the SAS has had officer’s seconded to them from other regiments. Having passed qualification these officers would most usually keep their original uniforms and simply put up SAS parachute wings, as here.

 

The tunic being attributed offers further research potential. Overall condition is very good and free from moth or other damage. The lower front closure button is detatched but present in one pocket.