The accompanying photos are from the Shepherd family collection it shows two officers by the sea in Tunisia 1943. On the back is written Gerry and Major Laughen by the sea and one of Gerry elsewhere. We know who Gerry was, he was Captain Gerry Ruston (Later to become a Major) part of the Ruston family of Lincolnshire, manufacturers of the Ruston Hornsley Diggger to be found in a later photo taken at Anzio. I cant find Major Laughen on any photos or Officer lists for the 67th Field Regt before or after the war so what was he doing there. My thought is that he might be in 1st Infantry Div Artillery or a friend that Gerry bumped into from another Regiment. It seems that Gerry was a very sociable man with "connections".
There was a Lieutenant-Colonel F. F. Laugher, M.C.. Commanding Officer. 6th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers around 1946. Recommendation for Award for Laugher, Francis Fletcher Rank: Captain Service... | The National Archives
Our photo was taken in 1943 after the fall of Tunis unless it somehow got into Major Shepherds briefcase post war, which is unlikely. The briefcase was sealed and sent to Major Shepherds wife after his grave was found in Ferrara in 1945. His sister took it to her house where it remained unopened until 1994 when it was opened by his son to place a few photos sent in response to an obituary placed in news papers on the 50th Anniversary of his death. It was not opened then until 2019 by Major Shepherds Grandson after his father had died. To our knowledge none of the photos have ever been published and not seen outside the family. There are however similar photos in Major Mennell's album taken in Palestine in 1945 but Major Gerry Ruston returned home early to stand in the General Election so this is an unlikely location.. I would be reluctant to discount any suggestions at this stage as knowing the capabilities of forum members I would prefer to encourage not discourage their capabilities and am aware that they like a good hunt through the various archives. Is there a photo above the text on #2 attachment which might resemble the man in our photo.
Thanks for trying Tony56. I wonder what else might turn up I zoomed in and edited to get a comparison of their uniforms particularly their hats. Major Laugher's hat looks to be lighter Gerry is wearing an RA side cap. As a Major in 1943 I don't think he is the officer mentioned below. Nor the Colonel in the RWF I would expect his citation to read at least Temporary Major not Captain Name Laugher, Francis Fletcher Rank: Captain Service No:47616 Regiment:1 Dorsetshire Regiment Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45 Award: Military Cross .
