This is a long shot but I was hoping that someone may be able to help me identify the unknown Recce Corps soldier in the attached picture. This is an unidentified family photo from my Dads side though he has no idea who it may be. This side of the family lived in Glasgow so there is a strong chance that there may be some connection. All I have been able to determine is that the cap badge is for the Reconnaissance Corps, and that the photo probably dates from 1941-1942. I understand that the Recce Corps was formed from other regiments, and that they may have originally used these other regiments uniforms to start with. Looking at the Field Service Cap it appears to be darker than the BDU (possibly dark blue or black) and it has a lighter coloured piping and crown. If nothing else can anyone identify the cap so that I can narrow down my search. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks, Duncan
Wow talking needle in haystack! There is very little to go on in this photo, that is definitely Reconnaissance Corps cap badge in a field service cap which would be coloured Green with yellow piping. As for identifying the person in the photo I believe the you are going to to ask around in your own family as there is nothing more on the photograph as an identifying mark Dave
Duncan, I concur with Dave. The field cap I believe was soon discontinued for the Khaki Beret and so your date of 1941-42 will be correct. I wish you luck with the identification as it really is a Needle in a Haystack search. Regards Tom
Welcome to the forum, Duncan. The cap badge is Recce Corps, but appears to be 'silver' rather than the normal yellow metal for other ranks. This suggests a Scottish Recce Regiment; per the quote below from an earlier post of mine on another thread: From 'The British Reconnaissance Corps in World War II' - R Doherty and R Chapman, pages 40 (pictures) and 63 (narrative). 1. Recce Corps cap badge, yellow metal - other ranks; 2. Corps badge, bi-metal, with gilt spear and nickel-plated lightning flashes and scroll - officers; 3. Corps badge, variation in white metal - Scottish units; 4. 15th Scottish Recce adopted officers' service dress collar badges with the lion of Scotland on a yellow enamelled disc, all on a white 'O' (the 15th letter of the alphabet); and 5. 49 (West Riding) Recce officers' wore cap and collar badges with the white (silver) rose of Yorkshire added to the spearshaft. This fits with the Glasgow connection and hopefully narrows down the search! Best, Steve.
Thanks for all the suggestions. They have been much appreciated. Unfortunately my Dad is the only surviving member of that side of the family, and he hasn't got the faintest. It's useful to have the scottish connection confirmed and as its my only lead I'll try and pursue it somehow. Thanks again, Duncan
If we assume you are right about the cap badge being all silver it could be: 15th (Scottish) Reconnaissance Regiment 51st (Highland) Reconnaissance Regiment 52nd (Lowland) Reconnaissance Regiment Dave
After a lot of prompting it turns out that the photograph is almost certainly of my Dads uncle. His name is Charles Samson and he was possibly also involved with bomb disposal during the war. Any suggestions as to how I might find further information on him? All I know is that he survived the war and was from the Glasgow area. Are there any sources with muster lists for the Recce Cop, especially the Scottish Regiments listed above? Although by no means a concrete fact doesn't the bomb disposal element link to the RAOC? If so are there known links to the Recce Corps? Thanks, Duncan
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/26820-beret-changes.html I'm still not 100% sure on the Scottish Regiment idea! This other thread seems to suggest that Balmorals/Tam O' Shanters were worn by Scottish Regiments prior to 1944?? Anyway Duncan I digress. Depending on how much more you know about your Great Uncle you could apply for his service records. It costs £30 and takes about 9 months to come through. Ministry of Defence | About Defence | What we do | Personnel | Service Records | Making a Request for Information held on the Personnel Records of Deceased Service Personnel
