Unknown soldier on his wedding day

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by AllanUK, Sep 4, 2022.

  1. AllanUK

    AllanUK Member

    I know it is a long shot but can anyone identify the regiment of this unknown soldier on his wedding day, 30 September 1940.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

  3. AllanUK

    AllanUK Member

    Thank you replying Steve. I think that you have identified his regiment, now I just need to trawl through family records to try and identify him.

    I must admit, I am more familiar with WW1 uniforms etc, I was thrown by his trousers and the fact that he was wearing puttees -- was the wearing of puttees still common in WW2 for RA men?
     
  4. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Royal Artillery uniform see close up of photo #1 and comparison of unknown RA Soldiers.
    Note: white lanyard on right shoulder collar insignia, breeches and boots. Taken in 1940.
    Interestingly the group (1920's) are wearing lanyards on left shoulder also on other post WW1 photos.

    Derek Barton might help a bit here but I doubt if he knew him!
    Anything more is a very long shot. There were a lot of gunners about in 1940.
    Many got married before being posted abroad. This is post Dunkirk so maybe off to North Africa or the Far East.
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022
  5. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    I’m no uniform expert but it’s inter war era uniform that started to be replaced by “battle dress” in the very late 1930’s. Obviously took a while for all troops to be reequipped though.

    Steve
     
  6. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Much of the TA were kitted out with Battle Dress at the end of 1939 after Embodiment.
    Officers in 67th Field Regt RA TA were fitted out with Battle Dress in October 1939 whilst training in Wiltshire.
    Until then they were borrowing transport and equipment from Regular Regiments.
    The TA had been more than doubled in size but there was very little kit of any sort for them.
    They were even issued with 4.5 Inch howitzers dated 1898 the newest one was made in 1912.
    They went to France in January 1940 with them.
    For reference Read "Ramsbury at War" by Roger Day if you can find a copy.

    This places a strong case for our Bridegroom being in the Territorials although many wore their No1 Dress (Blues) to get married in, so perhaps it was a rush job after a short spell of Embarkation Leave..
    Maybe someone might have a list of RA who went abroad at the end of 1940.
    Knowing my luck he will prove to be on Home Service and not kitted out with BD until later.
    One tends to be somewhat pessimistic about kit issue if you have ever been associated with the TA.
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022
  7. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    Sorry to come back and forth but this one is bugging me.
    Its his boots as much as anything.
    He is certainly somewhat out of fashion for Sept 1940. Are you sure you have the wedding date right
    Yes I would expect to see him in BD at that time, after Dunkirk etc. or in Blues.

    He seems to be dressed for riding a horse would he be in the RHA by any chance.
    There appears to be a buckle on his boots
    See attached photo but again that is 1920's

    Soldier 004.jpg
     
    Last edited: Sep 4, 2022
  8. AllanUK

    AllanUK Member

    Thanks guys for your replies.

    The reverse of the photograph says 'September 30th 1940' 'from Elsie'
     

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