Note the German white flag hanging behind this group. The very well worn bolt handle on the rifle held by the right hand man speaks of recent hard fighting.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:52:59 BST
The sign behind the troopers reads “Waldfrieden” a German word sometimes used as Wonderland!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:30:22 BST
Note that the Trooper second from left has his pistol ready to use!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:25:37 BST
The right hand man is wearing his (mouth) inflatable life-belt so they are probably waiting to go ashore.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:22:49 BST
The Trooper stands in a 3 inch Mortar ‘pit’ with the covered muzzle of one tube just visible.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:20:09 BST
Westkapelle is a small City near Walcheren the photo taken during a lull in fighting as none of these men is armed.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:16:10 BST
This appears to show a ruined German Casement or Bunker probably close to, and overlooking, thevLandingnBeach.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:10:41 BST
This is called, “Living off the land”. Those chickens should leg it now!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:08:32 BST
This shows a US built M4 Sherman Tank one of almost 50000 built and used in all Theatres of the War. They used petrol, the common fuel adopted, but caught fire relatively easily so the Germans called them “Tommy Cookers”. The photo was probably taken in Holland as some of the men are wearing traditional clogs, the Royal Marines call Dutch Marines “Cloggies”.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 10:04:39 BST
This is probably on active service the left hand man has a bandolier only used for ‘live’ rounds, he has his mess tin out, and seems to have ‘proffed’ a couple of spuds so a cook-up is in the offing.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 09:57:26 BST
What is rarely mentioned is the fact that when the Invasion began and the areas on and around the Landing Beaches were bombed and shelled very heavily but the French residents were still in place and could not be given any warning. They suffered huge casualties, their livestock was killed and buildings massively damaged, there was no alternative. The amazing fact is that when Allied troops moved thru these same areas they were welcomed in a manner which can only be described as rapturous! Anything to get rid of the hated Boche!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 09:46:23 BST
Early Parachute Training when there was no reserve ‘chute.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 24 Sep 2020 00:09:14 BST
Captain Murdoch wears the a Cap Badge of The Welch Regiment.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:07:31 BST
Colonel Macpherson wears Parachute “Wings” above the Medal Ribbons
on his left breast this was an early placement eventually all ranks would wear these on the right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 22:03:46 BST
Corporal Lappin wears SAS “Wings” on the right shoulder.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:58:24 BST
Captain Carr served in the Royal Regiment of Artillery., and wears the
Ribbon of his Military Cross.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:50:17 BST
This photo must have been taken after Corporal Beattie returned from the PoW Camp as he is wearing his Green Beret and the Ribbon of the Africa
Star.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:44:45 BST
Corporal Ainslie is wearing the dress uniform of his Corps derived from the
days of Cavalry and the leather bandolier worn across his chest would
have held 10 X .303” Rounds for his Rifle. The jodphurs have the same
Horse-mounted origins.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:40:14 BST
That is a serious “Chest full of Medals” by any standard., It is interesting that that General Purdon chooses to wear his original Regimental Cap
Badge rather than his entitled Generals’ gold braid badge.
‘
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 21:32:21 BST
Trooper Burrows wears the original REME Cap Badge in his Green Beret.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 16:02:07 BST
The photo tri-stud hob-nails are clearly visible on Colonel Newman’s boots and I have read the style dates back to the Romans!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 10:20:52 BST
This is probably a Recruit Squad photograph taken at RM Exton (Lympstone) as the set up is typical. It was probably taken at the bottom end of Sylvan Glade and quite near to the Parade Ground,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 10:14:31 BST
Corporal Cant was the holder of The British Empire Medal and the Police Long Service Medal shown with his Commando Medals. The Police Medal does not include the usual term ‘and Good Service ‘ , with the Police that is a given.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:39:21 BST
Colonel Sankey RM was a former CO at Lympstone, his son Bob joined the Corps in the Ranks where I served with him, later Commissioned and made at least Captain. I believed he emigrated to Rhodesia and that his Son is a serving RM Officer.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:25:26 BST
This photo taken at RM Exton (CTCRM) in Nutwell Square in front of the NAAFI , the building to the right is No: 1 Galley. The Drill Instructor is a Colour Sergeant holding his Pace Stick. He is to the right as you look at the photo.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 23:15:50 BST
