Cap badge.

Discussion in '53rd (Welsh) Division' started by PICARFOU, Dec 15, 2012.

  1. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    Hello,

    This joins a photography of the liberation of my village, Airaines in the SOMME, taken in September 1944. We can see on the right soldier the cap badge to the Manchester régiment, somebody coukd you say me wich régiment is the left soldier ?

    Thank you for your answers.

    Image1.jpg
     
    Medwyn Edwards likes this.
  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Indeed, a great picture - It certainly looks like a Light Infantry cap badge. Was the Mancs supporting OBLI in 1944?
     
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    1 OBLI in 71st Bde of 53 Div
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just looked in 1 OBLI's diary for Sept 1944 and I don't think its them. They seem to be either at Port en Bessin or Brussels.

    Interestingly though there are quite a few mentions of new drafts coming in with different cap badges. The first parade on the 1st Sept states there were 48 different regiments represented !

    I'll look in my Manc History.
     
  6. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Nothing of note in the Manchesters Regt History for Aug and Sept apart from some poor sods who surrendered to the Marquis. They had their throats slit and a girl was dancing on their bodies when the battalion arrived. The Mancs weren't best pleased suggesting they weren't so brave in 1940.

    Drop me a PM if you want copies of the two 1st Manchester Regiment diaries.

    Cheers
    Andy
     
  8. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    Hi,

    I had posted this photograph of British soldiers taken in Airaines during the liberation of the city.
    I was looking for the regiment of belonging of these soldiers.
    I have since found this report:
    report n 183 to Canadian Army and it's write:
    During 2 sep, Linc & Welld R. had clear Airaines, and on being relieved there by a battalion of 53 (W.) Div had moved to Sorel en Vimeu.

    Can we deduce that they belong to the 53W Div ? If so, which regiments?

     

    Attached Files:

  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'd say that was the fleur de lys cap badge of the Manchester Regiment.y



    Edit. Oh its same pic as post #1 & you already said that. Doh.
     
  10. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    hI?

    Yes that's what I had noted but Drew5233 tells me that in the wd of the manchester regiment there is no mention of Airaines.
    And for the other cap badge?

    Best regards
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    I'll stick to what I said before, Ox & Bucks.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2019
  12. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    Hi,

    on the Lightbobs website, the wd of the 1st battalion of OBLI can be read on September 1st, 1944. It is written that the regiment was fired at the entrance to métigny at 10:00 pm. morning then the regiment resumed the road to Amiens at 10:00.
    Métigny is 2 km from Airaines.
    The OBLI could therefore be photographed at Airaines.
    What do you think ?

    what kind of vehicles equipped the Ox & bucks ?

    Best regards
     
  13. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    The chap with the Fleur de lys is wearing goggles and no ammo pouches so most likely a driver of some sort, Not a dispatch rider as such
    ( Signals) but a motorcyclist from another unit who just chanced to be there at time of photo.
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    What about the 2 on the left with the same cap badge ?
     
  15. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    You are right did not pick that up.
     
  16. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    I found this information about Manchester rgt for the night of 01 to 02 September, information from the wd of 53 recce:

    During the night 1/2 Sep 44 orders were received for the move across R SOMME. Commanding Officer left at 0200hrs for Div HQ in the area HORNOY 8155. Regt was ordered to be ready to move at 0500hrs. Commanding Officer returned at 0600hrs and start time was postponed until 0900hrs. It was later postponed again until 1200hrs when the Regt moved across RSOMME at Br. PICQUINGY M9965 with orders to proceed to conc. area nr ERGNIES 9382. The enemy situation north of RSOMME was extremely vague, and it was not known if the Div conc. Area was clear of enemy. Under comd of the Regt were One Coy 1 MANCH (M.G.) and 340 (S .P.) A/Tk Bty. The Regt crossed the bridge at approx 1500hrs and turning west B Sqn who were leading, met opposition immediately west of FLIXECOURT M9573

    Best regards.

    Franck
     
  17. PICARFOU

    PICARFOU PICARFOU

    Hello,
    in this instruction of the 53rd WD dated August 31, 1944, we can see in the 6th § that the company "A" of 1 Manch is attached to the 71st Brigade; Brigade belonging to Ox & Bucks.

    As a reminder, Ox & Bucks fought in Métigny, 2 km from Airaines.

    I am looking for an exhibition on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the release of airaines, the war diaries of Ox & Bucks and 1st Bat Manch on the 1st of September.

    Thanks in advance.

    Cordially.

    Franck
     

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