They also had a propeller driven off the main engine so they could make way once in the water still a dangerous way to go to war with many sinking including a complete US Tank Unit off Omaha Beach, the Tanks are still there!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 19:48:29 BST
This Trooper served in a Light Infantry Regiment his Cap Badge displays the Traditional Hunting Horn emblem.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 19:39:19 BST
The Troopers are grouped around a 20mm Oerlikon Cannon used by crew for defence.The two half moon fittings to the right would fit around the Gunners’ shoulders when firing.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 19:31:23 BST
The Troopers in the photo may be the Unit ‘Posties’ a vital morale boosting role as it was the only means by which Troops in the Field could get their letters from home and send replies. No Mobile ‘phones then!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 19:25:15 BST
The Trooper coming down the ramp is taking quite a purler, he is laden with all necessary Commando equipment plus an issue bicycle but will-arrive on shore well soaked and cursing!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 19:21:39 BST
Captain Sturges is cleaning his F & S Commando Fighting Knife, perhaps they are going in action quite soon.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 14:43:21 BST
Here you can see how ID discs are worn. The round one is cut off if the man dies and sent to the Regimental Pay and Records Office used to close his Personal Record, in the Royal Marines that is entered as “Discharged Dead”. The other discs is buried with the man for later identification and any re-burial.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 14:40:58 BST
The Officer on the right is wearing RAF Pilots Wings which may help in making an ID.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 10:34:38 BST
Photo taken in the U.K. (Water/Fire hydrant sign on wall) possibly during pre-D-Day Training in bombed British City known as a Fighting in Built Up Areas (FIBUA) common practice in preparation for the coming Invasion.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sat 19 Sep 2020 10:19:31 BST
Marine Green is not wearing best blues but No: 3 Dress which would be working dress, all rank and specialist badges would be scarlet. All badges and buttons would be brass and require daily cleaning.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 18 Sep 2020 23:09:27 BST
The left hand man in this photo is wearing the miniature of the Military Cross which, at that time, was awarded to Officers. Other Ranks would get the Military Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 23:42:43 BST
The Cap Badge is The Shropshire Light Infantry.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 23:37:15 BST
This is probably post-War as he is wearing a ‘Tankies’ suit standing in front
a “Chieftan” Main Battle Tank.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 23:33:06 BST
Trooper Lain served in the South Wales Borderers.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 21:05:35 BST
Sergeant Johns is wearing an unusual Combined Operations Emblem Cap Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 21:04:04 BST
Still wearing his Kings Royal Rifle Corps Cap Badge!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 21:00:23 BST
Trooper Hatch served in a Light Infantry Regiment as evidenced by his Hunting Horn Cap Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 20:56:57 BST
KRRC, the Kings Royal Rifle Corps
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 20:52:57 BST
Other souvenirs here are a Japanese Officers’ pistol and sword (Katana)
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 20:47:08 BST
There is a bit of a mix here, he appears to be wearing a US Steel helmet, holding a Japanese Officers’ sword (Katana) and has a .303” Bren at his feet with magazine fitted.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 20:43:00 BST
Trooper Redman may have joined the Army as the War drew to a close as he does not wear Campaign Medals from that Conflict. He soldiered for quite a few years afterwards. He has the General Service Medal (GSM) with two Clasps and he fought in the Korean War earning both the British and UN Medals awarded.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 20:36:38 BST
I believe this photo was taken at RM Exton Camp (ITCRM/CTCRM) as these Marines are stood in front of a Mansard Hut made with Asbestos sheeting over a simple scaffolding frame and identical to a hit I lived in between 1961-1964. These housed 8 Marines and were heated by a single central coke fired stove. If I am right these young men may be amongst the first ‘Hostilities Only’ Marines drafted into the Corps. The term Mansard refers to the double-pitched roof design.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 17:36:31 BST
AB Oakley wears seven Medals. He may have a bronze Oak Leaf which
means ‘Mentioned in Despatches ‘ (MiD) on the sixth Medal, if so it would indicate Bravery of some Order on Active a Service.
,
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:49:20 BST
AB Oakley wears the Cap Tally for HMS ‘Drake’. a Stone Frigate (Shore
Base) in Plymouth (Guz) still in use in 2020.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:44:53 BST
Trooper Wells is wearing a very unusual shoulder title apparently reading “Special Service” which may have been used prior to the adoption of the Boer word and title “Commando” chosen by a Churchill.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:34:27 BST
