I thought this was quite interesting. WO 167/134 From the war diary dated 5.12.39 at CUINCY: His Majesty the King visited H.Q. I Corps at 1000 hrs. A.D. Svy. was presented to H.M. with other heads of branches. Later B.G.S. sent for A.D. Svy. and said the King wished to speak to him concerning the preparation and printing of the Corps Xmas Card. The King asked who drew the card and I told him that L/Cpl Carmichael R.E. 1 Div. had. He also spoke about the printing of it and expressed his satisfaction at the results. I told him that most of the personnel of the 13 Fd. Svy. Co. RE. were highly skilled members to the Ordnance Survey, Southampton. I explained the various technical troubles in printing this particular card and the whole conversation lasted at least 5 minutes. It occured in the Corps Comdrs. room in front of a distinguished gathering of French and British Generals. I also had a long talk with H.R.H. the Duke of Gloucester and reminded him of his visit to Chatham with the Staff College. I invited him to visit the Svy. Coy. and to see its work and he expressed his willingness to do so. Later His Majesty expressed a desire for a cup of tea and A.D. Svy. was instrumental in getting this from the clerks office of C.S.O. The tea was pretty poor. The Xmas Cards are attached to the file.
An entry dated 09.12.39 says 'Xmas cards (about 50,000) will be delivered tonight' An entry dated 11.12.39 says 'Distribution of Corps Xmas Cards Commenced' An entry dated 12.12.39 says 'The distribution of the Corps Christmas card was completed, the total number issued being about 145,000'
No mention of the cards on Pathé but the King was definitely there! THE KING IN FRANCE - British Pathe HIS MAJESTY WITH THE BEF - British Pathe
Blinking 'eck...I wonder if that's him? Is it a Private with a unit brass on his epaulette or is it a Major/Lt Col ?
Any chance you can share Rob to see how they differ-Is the '44 one better quality with the advance in technology?
Andy Your wish is my command. The 1939 card looks a high quality product compared to the 1944 version, which is flimsy paper. The thing I like about the 1944 card though is the artwork from the time, by Major Sam Black. "Noted British Columbia artist and art educator Sam Black was born in Ardrossan, Scotland on 5 June 1913. He graduated from the Glasgow School of Arts in 1936. After receiving his Teachers Certificate and Art Teachers Diploma in 1937, he taught art in primary and secondary schools in Scotland. Black also continued his study of art in London, Paris and Brussels prior to the outbreak of World War II. When the war began in 1939, Black enlisted in the Royal Scottish Fusiliers and received a commission in the Officer Corps. Shortly thereafter he became a camouflage officer. As Staff Lieutenant Camouflage his first assignment involved the concealment of defences and training men in personal concealment. Later a Camouflage School was established with Black as its first commandant with the rank of Captain. Blacks job was to teach the basics of concealment and behaviour and to understand how to use different ground patterns to their advantage. Black saw military action in France, Belgium and Germany and was decorated with three military stars, the Defence Medal, an Oak Leaf and the Belgian Medaille Civile for bravery. He completed his military service as a Major in 1946. During the war Black also worked for the War Artists Advisory Committee. Paintings he produced were sent to the Committee who purchased them if interested. These works are now in the permanent collection of the Imperial War Museum in London."
The 1 Corps 'spearhead' was clearly in widespread use from the early days of the BEF but strangely I can't think of a single photograph of a vehicle displaying it. This is the more odd becuse vehicles showing 2 corps' fish and river are regularly recorded.
