Regiment Identification - Possible Parachute Regiment

Discussion in 'General' started by eddie chandler, Mar 17, 2010.

  1. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    Hello chaps out there.

    See attached photo - I wonder if any of you eagle eyed and knowledgeable people could identify the regiment of the uniform in the photograph?

    Thank you for you help.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Parachute Regiment Cap Badge and Jumps badge on right breast. Not sure what the star is though or the ribbons.

    Cheers
    A
     
  3. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    maybe 151 as I have seen a photo of a veteran who also had a wing on the breast
     
  4. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    maybe 151 as I have seen a photo of a veteran who also had a wing on the breast
    151 were redesignated as 156 Battalion in October 1942, and became part of 4 Para Brigade and by the time this picture was taken and with those ribbons if still with 156 he would not of been wearing his wings on his chest circa 44:unsure:. But the pic seems to be of a guy serving in the far east or India which suggests 7, 12, or 13 Para and I have seen pics of 15 Para in central India, in August, 45 with Wings on the chest.
     
  5. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The star certainly suggests a unit under GHQ India. It is a recurring symbol with Indian formations.
     
  6. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Might be completely wrong (often am) but a couple of things strike me:
    Beret looks much too large.
    Chest wings look slightly wrong, almost US style.
    Looks like 'tropical' style shirt.

    So I would guess something to do with Far East airborne ops?

    Mike
     
  7. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Just had another thought.
    Looking at medal ribbons (anyone id them?) try checking LG for R. Lunn. Then Robert might be your Father's Brother!
     
  8. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    Right you chaps out there seem to be heading in the right direction I think. The man in the photo is called was baptised as Archibald William John Lunn born 13/11/1922 in Rotherhithe.
    His name on his death certificate was Robert William John Lunn died 1994.

    This is some of the information that I have from his grandson:-

    'It is not clear if Robert Joined the Royal West Kents or the West Surrey's. The regimental museum for the West Kent's does not appear to have a record of Robert. What is clear from the photos is that Robert wears the insignia of the Parachute Regiment and also displays the Burma Star which supports the fact that he was a Chindit and a member of the Special Forces in Burma.'.....................Robert was also demoted during this period for shooting his brother. Apparently Robert found out that he had killed a native girl who refused to give him 'something'. Robert shot his brother for this reason. His brother obviously lived as the wound was not fatal. During this time Robert excelled at un-armed combat and became an army instructor. Robert didn't demob in 1945/6 but signed on for further service and joined the Indian Army and is supposed to have acted as body guard to Ghandi prior to the Independance of India in 1948. Following this Robert served a futher year in the Caribean. He left the Army in approximately 1949.

    I wonder if any of this information would help with what you have suggested so far. I would like to be able to try and pin point the part he may have played in Burma if at all possible. Your help so far is much appreciated.
     
  9. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The wings look British to me. The Beret size is SOP for back then refered to as a bit of a HLS in toadys Army - 'Get that Beret Shrunk and Shaped'

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    You can't be tried for a 'War Crime' for shooting your brother. Depending on the outcome it would be either Murder or Attempted Murder, I suspect at some point he would have received a bigger punishment than getting busted even if in the middle of the jungle on Ops at the time.

    Eddie, I would add something like 'Possible Parachute Regiment' or similiar to the title as this will attract the 'Geeks' :lol:

    As with all requests for info regarding someones unit - Army Personnel Centre - British Army Website Speculation regarding units is the mother of all evil :)

    Cheers
    A
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  11. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    What part did the airborne play in Burma, any way of narrowing down what he would have been doing.
     
  12. Philip Reinders

    Philip Reinders Very Senior Member

    151 were redesignated as 156 Battalion in October 1942, and became part of 4 Para Brigade and by the time this picture was taken and with those ribbons if still with 156 he would not of been wearing his wings on his chest circa 44:unsure:. But the pic seems to be of a guy serving in the far east or India which suggests 7, 12, or 13 Para and I have seen pics of 15 Para in central India, in August, 45 with Wings on the chest.


    151 was formed in India and the photo i have seen was already taken in the UK :D
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  14. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    Yep, think you are right Andy. Might be a new beret for photo and hasn't shrunk it yet. Airborne chaps certainly had a knack of giving it a distinctive style/shape but I am probably thinking post-war type beret.
    There's another thread here somewhere with ref to a 'naughty' bloke, can't remember which one. Only 'glass house' I know of is Colchester but there must have been many more in WW2 era, would have been some in Far East area.
    Got to go out for a while but will try to have a look at medal ribbons when I get back.

    Mike
     
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Do you know his Army Number ?
     
  16. eddie chandler

    eddie chandler Senior Member

    No not as yet I've asked the person whos grandfather it is for as much info as he can get.
     
  17. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    No not as yet I've asked the person whos grandfather it is for as much info as he can get.

    Army number will help a lot, as during WW2 Paras came to the Airborne from other regiments or Corps. Especially if he was in India as seems to be the case. And of course you can tell someones first Regiment/Corps from their Army number.
     
  18. Mike L

    Mike L Very Senior Member

    I've tried to id the ribbons but due to blurring when zoomed in and no colours the best I can come up with is a possible DSC or MC or MM along with probably Pacific Star and/or Burma Star. Those wouldn't have been awarded until post War (date anybody?) so pic must be post 1945.
    If DSC or MC is correct anyone checked London Gazette?

    Mike
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    DSC is prodominately a Naval award for officers as is the MC for prodominately Army officers.

    No Lunn listed under Army Air Corps or Parachute Regiment in my Military Cross book.

    Cheers
    A
     
  20. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No Lunn received a VC, GC, DSO, DCM, GM, CGM, CGM Air, Albert, Edward or Empire Gallantry Medal according to my books but I did find a W F Lunn in my DSM book and another two in my DFM book but they were RN and RAF.

    Have you applied for those service records yet?
     

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