Help identifying my Geat Grandads wartime photos.

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Thomas wise, Jan 10, 2024.

  1. Uncle Target

    Uncle Target Mist over Dartmoor

    White belts are used when on duty in camp as an Orderly NCO ( supervising in the Dining Hall (O/R's Mess) Fire Picket or Guard Duty, when out on official duty (Regimental Police along with an RP armband) on parade or in the band.
    (or to impress the family on leave unofficially).

    Photo in #3 is RA wearing a white lanyard on the right shoulder.
    Not on camp, he will trip over his trousers, as he isn't wearing his boots and gaiters and the legs are too long.
    Probably new issue. No web belt. Possibly RA TA issued with kit at the TA Centre not from the QM on camp.
    Wouldn't get out of the gates like that.

    Edit: Going through various albums it is apparent that in a lot of photos taken in 1940, men are not wearing the Webbing Belt on the Battledress Blouse. So maybe these items were in short supply after Dunkirk.
    So issued according to priority. Regular Army first TA second.

    This is a TA BSM (Battery Sergeant Major) taken not long after Dunkirk.
    It looks like new recently issued kit.
    All the men photographed at this time have their arms folded.
    To cover the lack of a webbing Belt?
    img374.jpg

    The type of dress worn can often provide clues as to when a photo is taken.
     
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2024
  2. HighlandRoots

    HighlandRoots Member

    Would you mind checking my grandfathers for me? I believe he was also in 2 RSF, and may very well be one of the chaps in the photos. Reddington/no.3137161 . Thank you in advance
     
  3. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    I’m afraid Alistair won’t be able to respond as he passed away suddenly a few months ago.

    However you are on the wrong track as you’ve been told on one of your other posts that his army service number was part of the RSF block indicating he was initially attested/enlisted/conscripted to RSF so he will not be in the RA attestation registers with that service number.

    Steve
     
    JimHerriot likes this.
  4. HighlandRoots

    HighlandRoots Member

    I’m really sorry to hear that, he sounded like a great man who knew his stuff. Forgive me, i understand now
     
    JimHerriot likes this.

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