In the Morris/Bawdon photo, it looks like the 'bowler and brolly' is on the bonnet of the right hand truck. And there's a Lt B G R Bawden transferring from RA to RASC in 1941. Just a thought: could his daughter have got the RASC badge confused with the Devons?
yes by all means copy the pic with the four bikes (look carefully, there is a fourth a the back. where do you people get all all this information from. Her father definitely was in the Devon's maybe she was unaware he got transferred to the RASC, and yes the cap badges do look very similar from a distance. Thank you all very much, now we just need to identify the Bowler Hat and Umbrella symbol. Tony
I'm not aware of a City of London regiment David, although I had the same thought as you? I thought that was the Rifle Brigade (at least their memorial is outside the Bank of England, I think)? County of London Regiments there were two of course, with 22 Armoured Brigade. All the best Andreas
Andreas, I did not spend a lot of time on it but was relying on the information in the attached pdf. I had noted that the lorry in the first photo is a different lorry to the second photo and I do not automatically assume that insignia on vehicles in photos matches service records. I also see there was a "Bankers Battalion" which fits the insignia even more but this appears to have been in WW1 only. Kind regards, David
Andreas, I did not spend a lot of time on it but was relying on the information in the attached pdf. I had noted that the lorry in the first photo is a different lorry to the second photo and I do not automatically assume that insignia on vehicles in photos matches service records. I also see there was a "Bankers Battalion" which fits the insignia even more but this appears to have been in WW1 only. Kind regards, David Must remember to have coffee before posting. Thanks for the correction. From this he could have been with 1st Royal Fusiliers? Axis History Forum • View topic - 1st Royal Fusiliers at Kuneitra,Syria 1941 All the best Andreas
I vaguely remember coming across an annual parade in which some chaps in suits wearing bowlers and carrying umbrellas march in unison with a regimental unit. Not sure what it was all about or why they were there. One of those curious English things I guess ... Regards ...
The Combined Cavalry Old Comrades Association parade in Hyde Park = Dress Bowler Hats and Umbrellas. This dates from the Household Division in WW1 The undermentioned link shows Prince Harry at the parade wearing a bowler hat http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/4769787.stm Perhaps this will help Diane
Diane, Yes that must be the parade, thank you. So there is a possible Calvary association to the sign, although tracking down which regiment may have used it on WW2 vehicles might prove difficult. It could be a false lead as well? Regards ...
Certainly the Buffs and the Royal West Kent Old Comrades Associations parade once a year and the officers often wear bowler hats and carry umbrellas. I suspect that many of the old regiments do exactly the same at their annual reunions. Seldom are uniformed troops seen with them (except for a band if one can any longer be found), though doubtless there are other occasions when uniformed troops and the old comrades parade together. Chris
I think in the first photo of the 4 m/c the 3rd from left is my grandad. Rasc 105 coy in Italy he was a driver and dispatch rider in '43 on wards.
I have war diaries for 105coy some names are on them. My granddad was Dvr john furnie. First time I saw his name and riding a motorcycle was in the 105 bridge coy 'x'. I can't be sure it's him
There was an occassion when the Germans forced a defeated British unit to parade with an assortment of hats and umbrellas. The picture that I remember were of men with ladies hats, bowlers and other assorted headwear. THis was intended to be humilitation of the defeated forces. It woudn't surprise me if the British, with their sense of historical value, took up this setback has an unoffical unit sign. The Old Contemptiables live on.