The attached photo was taken of my grandad (he's the one in the centre) in Monza April 1946. He was a Sergeant in the 6th York & Lancs at the time. With regard to the man on the left, I was just wondering what the circular type badges on his forearms are or signify? Thanks in Advance
Cheers I initially thought they could be, but they looked to me a little bit too circular to be a crown. Also thought the crown to signify a CSM was located above the sergeant's stripes?
That could be a small crown signifying a staff serjeant. The one you're looking at is in a wreath like this: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5465/7159683834_e1dfc897e1_o.jpg
I suspect these might be fabric badges, as below (although the ones in your photo look much whiter), as brass in the field might catch the light and flash. CompanySM/BatterySM were classified as Warrant Officer (class) II, hence W.O.II. Regimental Sergeant Major is W.O.I.
Brass were used in the field, alongside the cloth ones. The cloth ones were more to do with production difficulties than camouflage. There are many photos of them being used. I suspect these are just highly polished brass because there isn't enough white to make them that bright and he appears to be wearing his 'best' BD which many tried to keep the brass ones for.
