[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

The 17 DYRCH was the recce regt. for an infantry division whereas the SAR was that for an armoured division. I suspect the roles of recconaisance, patrolling and scouting were similar but for the range of the respective units. There was a distinction between the roles of armoured car regiments and a recce regiments in the offical pams. I leave it to others to speak to the specific differences.

Small arm were issued according to an 'official' scale of issue for a particular type of regiment. I don't think there would have been any major difference between the infantry and armoured recce regiments. Actual issue and what was picked up according to the user's preference is another thing.

Regarding the flashes, from about 1943 on, printed flashes as a 'war economy' were available and persisted to the end of the war in all regiments. Both would have been used along side each other depending on availability and the wearers preference (or means). Printed were generally used for 'every day' whereas the more desirable emboidered ones were often used on 'best' battledress. UK made flashes were obviously more common in Europe than Canadian made ones. By todays standards, from a collector's point of view, the printed flashes are 'more collectable', followed by period UK made embroided ones.

Hope this helps.