23rd Field Regiment, RCA, 83rd Artillery Division

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally posted by John McGillivray
Garry are you sure that he is your dad, or is it someone who resembles your dad? It appears that the person in the photo has the Polar Bear shoulder patch of the British 49th Division, which was in Iceland in 1941.

Hi Garry/John;

Garry - I would agree with John on this one, that is a 'Polar Bear' on the formation patch above his 'Corporals' chevrons. I would say also, that this photo was taken in Iceland

John - The 'polar bear logo' was the Formation Sign used by Alabaster Force, of which the British 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division, who were entrusted with the defence of Iceland in 1940, were the main force of. While in Iceland, this was adopted by and became the Formation Sign of the 49th division (1940).

Cheers

The photo in question: