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
The Censor has blanked the Thompson Sub-Machine Guns held by the leading three Troopers and some-one off-camera but has left the one held by the right hand grinning man, who has had his Bren blanked instead. The guy second from left has his gas cape on. The men are donning life-belts and are all wearing brown Army pumps/daps issued for PT. Considering what they have been through these guys look remarkably chipper and up for it!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 16:24:42 BST
Troopers serving in Support Troops would often be issued revolvers for personal protection in the event that their firing position was attacked.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 17 Sep 2020 09:58:56 BST
Henry Loudon
Number five, top row , is my Grandfather Henry Loudon. Also confirmed by my Mum.Amazed to find this as, apart from knowing where he served, we had very little information on his particular unit. Just new that he was a very proud Royal Marine. He lived in Alva, Scotland and passed away in 1984.
Posted by Pam on Thu 17 Sep 2020 09:11:25 BST
The bolt is drawn brawn back, you stick the thumb in front of the breech and light is reflected up the barrel, simple!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 22:12:54 BST
Note the No: 36 HE (High Explosive) Grenade clipped to his belt by the fly off handle. It holds one pound of HE and has an immediate killing zone of 25 yards with the base plate up to 100 yards. If it comes off he has 4 seconds to get to safety!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 20:29:19 BST
This Marine is undergoing Commando Training as the Bren LMG he holds is for Weapon Handling Drills ONLY as it is marked with the white ‘flash’ which means it is NOT to be used for live firing. He will be instructed in all necessary and safety drills on this type of Bren before moving on to live fire on Range and Field Firing to include Group Handling and a Section Attacks )live),
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 20:11:28 BST
Trooper Mason served in the Durham Light Infantry.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 19:12:42 BST
Interestingly in this impressive set is the UN Korean War Medal.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 16 Sep 2020 16:51:10 BST
I should add the plate across the barrel ‘broke up’ the wooden bullets being fired.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 21:20:21 BST
This is quite a macabre photo as it appears to be a staged ‘execution’ with the man in trunks welding a Japanese sword (Katana) and his pals using a cape to suggest a beheading as there are two men under the cape, one crouching the other lying flat, face down. Not PC chums!
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 15 Sep 2020 14:08:27 BST
