Mystery photo

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Nordor, Jul 27, 2017.

  1. Nordor

    Nordor Member

    This photo was found in the papers of a friend's deceased mother and is a mystery as to why she should keep it. It may show a relative. This is important to him as he knows very little of one side of his family.
    Can anyone help to find out,
    Which regiment these men are in
    Where was it taken
    Why.
    Is there any way of finding out the names of any? image.jpeg
     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2019
    amberdog45 likes this.
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    It will be difficult to tell much from the photo, as it is difficult to see any of the badges etc, perhaps an approximate date due to the uniforms could be ascertained.
    Is there nothing on the rear of the photo??

    Does your 'friend' have details of his family? as I would guess some genealogy into his family may help sort out the answer

    TD
     
  3. Nordor

    Nordor Member

    I realise it's a long shot.
     
  4. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    If you could find out the town/city, I'll bet those houses in the background are distinctive enough to be recognised if still standing. Once you've got the exact location of the yard they are in, you're a step closer to identifying the unit.

    My gut says some kind of admin unit, but my gut could be entirely wrong.
     
    Nordor likes this.
  5. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    I get the feeling photo taken whilst on a course of some sort.
    Unusually untidy front row for a military photo legs and arms all over the place.
    An established unit would have a Sgt Major to sort it out.
    Also mixed dress ,two different styles of Great coat.
    Very hard to tell by badge but most seen triangular in shape ,could be Artillery,
    No medals on display except may be one each on dark jackets ,so most likely early war.
    Chaps in dark uniforms very hard to say.
    One with high boots (Cavalry?) appears to have Warrant Officer rank on Arm
    As a Wild guess I would say a cadre from some form of Coastal Gunnery course the Chaps in dark uniforms Chief gunnery Instructors Marine or Navy.
    But could be way out, just some ideas to kick about.
     
    Last edited: Jul 28, 2017
    Nordor and Charley Fortnum like this.
  6. Alex1975uk

    Alex1975uk Well-Known Member

    A royal horse artillery unit I'd suggest?
     
    Nordor likes this.
  7. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Any update?
    TD
     
  8. Nordor

    Nordor Member

    This is very interesting. Certainly the casualness struck me too. I have a couple of group photos of my dad and they look very different. It seems that the chap on the left of the dark jacket is taking it seriously. Also aren't some of the men officers and some Other Ranks? I think your theory of a course may be spot on.
    The dark jackets and riding boots threw me completely but another post suggests RHA. I too reckoned the overall shape of the badges was consistent with artillery. I doubt if I'll ever get to the bottom of it, but a fascinating puzzle. The solution would mean a lot to my friend...for very personal reasons. Thanks for your contribution.
     
  9. Nordor

    Nordor Member

    Thanks. It would explain the boots. Did the officers ever wear dark jackets and white trousers??
    No to both.
     
  10. Rich Payne

    Rich Payne Rivet Counter Patron 1940 Obsessive

    The number of field service caps indicates that this is not a late-war photograph (although there is 1940 pattern battledress). This probably indicates between 1941 and early 1944. At this stage, only officers would have worn collar and tie. Officers wore bronze cap badges so these are less visible.

    The badges do look like Royal Artillery and there are too many officers for a normal unit.

    I'm at a loss with the two chaps in white (?) trousers though. The cap band on one made me think of Royal Marines but I can't explain tall black boots and 'whites' in the middle of winter....unless he was intending to go out hunting !

    The Other Ranks look a little old and unfit to be a fighting unit. The background has a bit of a Victorian coastal town look to it. North Wales or somewhere similar perhaps ? Maybe a Coastal Defence Artillery District HQ or something. Could they have had RN or RM liason officers ?
     
    Nordor and Charley Fortnum like this.
  11. Rav4

    Rav4 Senior Member

    I'd guess they are on some kind of course. R.A. Many of them look as though they expect to loose the war. 1940?
     
    Nordor likes this.
  12. redtop

    redtop Well-Known Member

    RHA badge is smaller and oval in shape.
    Officer courses and OR's courses are usually quite separate,so if this is a course is it to train a team ? I believe that at Gunnery schools FCO,s Fire Control Officers wore White Caps so they were identifiable on fire point.but white trousers?
    In the main they are not young men.Home Guard ?
     
    Nordor likes this.
  13. veronicad

    veronicad Well-Known Member

    None look at all young.Hardly spring chicks.
     
    Nordor likes this.

Share This Page