OK - aware that this is technically not 1940, but 1939, but I have been posting in this area - and would like to thank all those who have helped so far - it's been a revelation. The following photographs were very kindly sent to me by WessexModeller after I was able to throw some light on the experiences of his father in law, L/Cpl Crodden of the 10th Hussars. By chance, this gentleman was in the same dismounted troop of Hussars sent to defend the bridge at St.Pierre du Vauvray, where a relative of mine, Trooper Joe Small was killed in June 1940. Bear with me, we're looking to date these two photographs accurately as we think the only extant image of Trooper Small may be on here and I can then compare with his service record. Help appreciated with markings also - we're pretty sure it's B Squadron and A Squadron, but particularly date and location - again late 1939/Lulworth Ranges? I note the strange combination of uniforms and presume those guys with the peaked caps and goggles are DonR's? I like the sign, 'Tanks Ahead'.
Wonderful photographs Brian. The motorcycles are Nortons and I'd suspect that the riders in Field Service Dress are probably Military Police on escort duty. The signage doesn't suggest a signals DR function. The trees don't really look autumnal, do they ? I'd guess August or September.
The regiment was in Colehill, Wimborne before they moved to Southampton in May 1940. Whats makes you think they are dated 1939?
Just a thought Drew, the motorcycles aren't fitted with blackout masks which must make it a pre-war photo. More likely August 1939 then.
The regiment was in Colehill, Wimborne before they moved to Southampton in May 1940. What makes you think they are dated 1939? Sorry, should have said, Wessex Modeller, who sent me the photographs, told me they came from his father in law, who was in A Squadron and he told him they were from 1939. Neither of us are sure and that's why he gave me permission to post them. I don't have Trooper Small's war record so I don't know when he joined the regiment - he was in 52 Training Regiment before joining 10th Hussars, so a date would help me prove he is in the picture of B Squadron, when I finally get his war record (which has been somewhat of an epic journey). In some ways, the later they are, the better for me, as the likelihood of Joe being in the photo increases. I have my suspicions, but need some factual back up.
Just a thought Drew, the motorcycles aren't fitted with blackout masks which must make it a pre-war photo. More likely August 1939 then. Good thought Rich, thank you - if that's true, then I'm back to the drawing board as I don't know when Joe Small was called up, or if he was a 'militiaman' which was a term used for reservists? I doubt it as he was only 20 in 1939?
I finally received Trooper Small's war records - not much I didn't know and I'll post later but it appears that he was enlisted into the Territorial Army 23/10/39 and posted almost immediately to 52 Training Regiment. He was only posted to the 10th Hussars on 8th May 1940, so he almost certainly isn't in the photographs posted here. B***er, start again.....
That's a blow, Brian. I've seen next to no private photographs from France so if his unit wasn't visited by an official photographer, there isn't likely to be anything. On the other hand, squad photographs from training establishments do turn up from time to time.
That's a blow, Brian. I've seen next to no private photographs from France so if his unit wasn't visited by an official photographer, there isn't likely to be anything. On the other hand, squad photographs from training establishments do turn up from time to time. Thanks Rich - from what I can make of his records, it explains a few things from what I already had - the casualty returns from the RAC record office kept showing him as 52nd (Heavy) Training Regiment, which is now understandable as he was barely in the regiment when they went to France, so muster rolls might not have included him. His wedding certificate lists his occupation as driver/chauffeur so if I could decipher the obscure occupation codes used by the Ministry of Labour in 1940, that would tell me something of why he ended up in the RAC if not the Hussars. A Captain Keating did take the well known pictures of knocked out Hussars tanks after Huppy but I think the men had moved away from the area by then. There are also pictures of them unloading at Cherbourg and some pictures taken of officers in May and I haven't investigated that fully. Onwards and upwards - and if you hadn't ID'd the motorbikes without blackout gear, I'd have still been looking in the wrong year. The forum has really kept me going and I have plenty to write about - just need to get a bit of a run at it. I recently purchased some 1940 Picture Posts off ebay and there are some gems on there which I'll get online assuming Getty Images don't roast me over an open fire for it. Compliments of the season and all that.
Did the 10H, or any other unit in 2 Armd Bde, use the Mk.VIb in France in 1940, or were all the light tanks MK.VIc in 1 Armd Div, with the MK.VIb's in the recce regiments of the Infantry divisions?
