Help with WW2 Photo please

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by Darren78, Jul 22, 2019.

  1. Darren78

    Darren78 New Member


    Hello

    Could anybody help me with this photo please. I believe the man in the photo is my grandma’s brother, who was in 5th battalion, East Lancashire regiment. I would like to know if anybody recognises the uniform and the badge on his arm.

    Any help would be appreciated as I have no family members that can help with this.

    Thanks

    Darren
     
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    American eagle
     
  3. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    Most odd, not a US greatcoat I think with those pocket flaps and they look like British GS buttons.
     
  4. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    The eagle patch looks like it was designed to be worn with the top and bottom parallel with the ground like a shirt pocket patch but was sewn onto the coat tilted to make it look like a diamond shaped shoulder patch. Eagle is tilted. I don't think an American would have any need to do this.

    Or maybe he would, come to think of it. An American who only had a British great coat to wear in the winter might want to show he was American.
     
  5. AB64

    AB64 Senior Member

    Buteman, von Poop, Rich Payne and 7 others like this.
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Attached Files:

    Buteman, Slipdigit, Dave55 and 4 others like this.
  7. Darren78

    Darren78 New Member


    Thanks for all of your replies. Basically the story in the Manchester Newspaper was what I’ve attached here. From what I understand, the picture is my great uncle that was in the British Army, East Lancashire regiment.

    Does this seem feasible? I’m just trying to clarify the authenticity of this as I don’t have any other photos of my great uncle.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    The man is not your relative for reasons given.
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Been feeling a bit sorry for you as all these years you thought you had a photo of your relative & we've destroyed that for you.
    Hope one day you can discover a photo of him .
     
    Tullybrone likes this.
  10. Tony56

    Tony56 Member Patron

    Darren, Just to clarify as you haven't actually quoted a name anywhere, but if you were working from the newspaper article then presumably your great uncle was Stuart Boardman, 5th East Lancashire Regiment?

    I assume that this is him:-
    Casualty

    Not a great picture, but is this him, from the Manchester Evening News, Thursday, August 10th, 1944:-
    Boardman 1.jpg Boardman 2.jpg


    He is mentioned on Casualty List No. 1530 dated 21 August 1944:-
    Boardman 3.jpg

    If you would like to find out more about his time in the services then there is only one real way to go and that is to apply for his service records, details here:-
    Get a copy of military service records

    His service number indicates that he first enlisted with the 'General Service Corps'.
     
    dbf and Owen like this.
  11. Darren78

    Darren78 New Member

    Thanks for all your help. Especially the newspaper clippings about my great uncle, really appreciated. A little sad to think this family story that I’ve always known seems not to be true. Don’t think I can bring myself to tell my mum. Thanks again for all of your help.
     
  12. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The newspaper article mentions some distinct recollections regarding being presented to Churchill and obtaining the stick and gloves...aspects actually which probably hastened the inclination to believe that the photo showed Private Boardman. As a basis for further research, it may be worth looking at the battalion war diaries to see if Churchill did review the battalion and if so, the exact date...There may well be photographs somewhere. It's a long shot but we have easier access to archives today than ever before. Does the Manchester Evening News still hold an original of that small portrait photo ? It's worth asking.
     
  13. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Pte Boardman was 19 when he died in 1944 - so went presented to Churchill in January 1941 he would have been 15 or 16 years old, something to think about - do you need to tell her?

    TD
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    You got the wrong end of stick.
    The story says Pte Boardman was presented to Churchill a few weeks before he was killed.


    The photo is of someone else & was taken in 1941.
     
  15. Dave55

    Dave55 Atlanta, USA

    I wouldn't tell my mom. No upside at all there that I can see.
     

Share This Page