THE 2ND BATTALION
BELGIAN FUSELIERS
IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
1941 - 1943

SHORT HISTORY

The history of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the United Kingdom starts in Canada.

When the Belgian Government in Exile in London called under arms all Belgian men under 45 year,
all those living in North and South America, had to rejoin the military camp at La Joliette, Canada.

La Joliette, Canada. Painted Maple leaf with some of the countries from where the Belgians originated.

There they received their primary training, and they were grouped under the command of Lieutenant Blondeel.

On May 17 1941 they sailed from Halifax, Canada, to the United Kingdom.

Once they arrived, they formed the core of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the United Kingdom.

Officialy the 2nd battalion Belgian Fuseleirs in the United Kingdom was created on February 23 1941.

The battalion was formed at Malvern, Great Britain.

United Kingdom, 1942. Captain BLONDEEL with some of his men of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the UK.

The battalion was never fully manned due to the fact that priority was given
to the 1st Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the Untited Kingdom.

In May 1942 a lot of the "Canadians" left the battalion
for the newly created 1st Belgian Independant Parachute Company.

The 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the United Kingdom was disbanded
when the 1st Belgian Independant Grouping was created.

Commanding Officer :
Major GRISAR

FORMATION BADGE AND INSIGNIA

The first insignia that was worn was the arm title "BELGIUM"  received by the "Canadians"  at La Joiette.

They continued to wear it when they were part of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the UK.

A red "BELGIUM" in a greenish rectangle.

This specific title has only been worn by the "Canadians"
who formed the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the UK.

"BELGIUM" title as worn by the "Canadians".

April 1941, La Joliette, Canada. The man in the upper right corner wears the "BELGIUM" arm title.

While sailing for the United Kingdom, the detachment commander, Lieutenant BLONDEEL,
asked one of his officers,
Second Lieutenant LIMBOSCH, if he had an idea to promote the teamspirit.

The answer came swiftly : " a badge".

They found a disused billiard table and swapped, with the steward, the cloth for some whisky bottles.

Maple leafs were cut out, and worn with pride.

Subsequently the maple leaf badge became the Formation Badge
of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the United Kingdom.

As each maple leaf badge has been made manually, they all have a different shape.

The colour is dark red.

Formation Badge of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the UK		Soldier of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers in the UK wearing his badge

Men of the 2nd Battalion Belgian Fuseliers on excercise. The corporal on the right wears the Formation Badge.

Senior Captain THISE wearing the Formation Badge