May be of interest to someone. Two photographs of my uncle, Harry Mason, born in the West Riding Yorkshire, and emmigrated to NZ in 1950 a before and after, which I did, and a portrait shot in Recce uniform. Zenfolio | Mainlyfax | Mono Misc | Photo 11 Zenfolio | Mainlyfax | Mono Misc | Photo 11
Welcome to the forum, I've moved your post so it doesn't become lost. Do you have any more details of your uncle that you could share. Cheers Paul
Choties Daughter, this is Remember George. I noticed one of your posts which you have mentioned that the silver Recce Badge could be of one of the Scottish Recce Regiments. this has puzzled me for some time as had uncle in 51st (H) Recce Regt 1941 - June 1943 when disbanded. I am in the possesion of two badges of the time one silver and one Brass colour. Could you advise me of where you got the information about the silver being for a Scottish Regt. I have also noticed the wearer in the picture is from the 3rd Division ie Black and Red Triangle patch on his sleeve, A part Scottish Division too. Looks like the silver Recce cap badge worn by the Scottish Recce units?
Choties Daughter, this is Remember George. I noticed one of your posts which you have mentioned that the silver Recce Badge could be of one of the Scottish Recce Regiments. this has puzzled me for some time as had uncle in 51st (H) Recce Regt 1941 - June 1943 when disbanded. I am in the possesion of two badges of the time one silver and one Brass colour. Could you advise me of where you got the information about the silver being for a Scottish Regt. I have also noticed the wearer in the picture is from the 3rd Division ie Black and Red Triangle patch on his sleeve, A part Scottish Division too. Hello Remember George, The 3rd Recce of the 3rd Infantry Division were Royal Northumberland Fusiliers i.e. not a Scottish Regiment. I'll see what I can find on the silver badge! Best, Steve.
Hello again, Remember George, 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. Could your uncles badges be the Recce Corps cap badge, yellow metal - other ranks and the Corps badge, variation in white [silver] metal - Scottish units? Best, Steve.
See this thread for more on cap badge http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/36108-reconnaissance-corps-badge-pro-wo32-4720-a.html Cheers Paul
John, maybe you would like to post information on your uncle here and any photos you might have. Cheers Paul
Paul thank you for your interest I had posted info on http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/recce/21693-picture-smudger-recce-mitch-2.html with my wife which she has signed, I hope this has not confused. we are John & Jean. A third uncle was also 51st Recce but private so not on photo, David Clark now deceased 2005. he was the owner of the framed Souvenir of Egypt which is posted in my album, it measures 18in x 14in and is an embroidery and I have been trying to trace its creation. Did it hang in a mess?? I am also in contact with a surviving member of 51st Recce B Sqn / 5/7th Gordon Highlanders Alex Sim he was 19 at the start and was at his 1st battle on 23rd Oct 1942. John & Jean.
John & Jean, Ref your 'Souvenir of Egypt' embroidery. I have one identical with other embroideries from a veteran of 56 Recce. I believe that they were sold in the Bazaars as souvenirs for the troops to take back home. Richard Doherty's description of the 15 Recce officers badge is incorrect. I have an original pair of collars in my collection (shown in my album). The officers did not wear a cap badge of the same style, although some may have worn a collar in their beret. After talking to many veterans from both the 15th and 52nd Recce Regts, I have found no evidence to support the claim that the Scottish regiments wore a white metal badge. The current theory is that the white metal badge was the 1st issue and was quickly replaced with the brass. This does not mean that all regiments would have received them. Les.