I am hoping for some help re badges and medals in the attached photo which was sent to me by SpitfireMK1. We know that the men in the photo are from 9th Btn, Royal Sussex Rgt.- the chap in front, seated is Frank Gash (Spitfire's Dad). 9th RSR were originally an infantry Btn, but converted to an RAC role between 15.7.1942 and 31.3.1943. It was in that capacity that they sailed from Liverpool in October 1942, to India and whilst there returned to infantry. From the heavy clothing of the men, it seems likely that this photo was taken in the UK. Are the badges we can see on their right arms connected to the RAC? If so, this helps with a date for the photo. Then there are the medal ribbons. The 9th had not seen action before they left the UK .Originally the Btn. was formed from conscripts but in amongst them were some from other Sussex units who had been regulars, and been with the BEF. Can anyone help identify the medals seen here? Thanks in advance for any help.
The arm patch is 6th Armoured Division cannot make the medals out apart from the far right is a War Medal 39-45 Kyle
Thanks,Mr Jinks,that confirms the RAC connection,and indicates that the man with medals had already served abroad I take it?
The medal ribbons present on the chest and the ties suggest to me the photo was taken post war but if that is a 6th Armoured Brigade patch and they reverted to infantry in 43 then I`m a little confused? Kyle
Yes,thats what puzzled me and hence the post.Perhaps someone else has another idea.The 9th was disbanded very early in 46,and by then most soldiers had come back.They were given heavyweight uniforms at some point but cant see that these would have had RAC patches on them.Does anyone know when medal ribbons were first actually sent out ?
Seems that 1st Royal Sussex Regiment was part of 61st Lorried Infantry Brigade, 6th Armoured Division in Austria between June 1945 and April 1946. I guess that after disbandment of 9th Battalion some men could have been transferred to 1st Battalion.
The medal ribbon for the man on the far right as we look, I would guess is: L-R: 1939-45 Star, France/Germany Star, next is a tough one, could be Burma Star? or Defence Medal? Final medal is the War Medal. Let's have more opinions to help Sylvia.
9 R Sussex were in 72 Inf Bde in Festing's 36 Division. Festing of course was one of the most talented divisional commanders in WW2, later becoming CIGS. Brooke wanted him in Europe as a corps commander but he had an important attribute unavailable to almost all British senior officers - he could handle Stillwell.
Thanks for all the suggestions. I will see if SpitfireMK1 can shed any more light on the possibility of this being a post war photo.
A bit late to the party, my Dad, William (John) Cook was with 1st Royal Sussex Regiment was part of 61st Lorried Infantry Brigade. It seems he spent 7 weeks in Austria, before being sent back to Italy. Would vehicles be marked "61" for the Brigade?
