Posted by Nick Collins on Mon 08 Feb 2021 06:22:50 EST
The rifles are “slung” from the right shoulders in the photo a more relaxed marching style.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 09:35:07 EDT
The Officer behind the man “Stood at Ease” May have given him that Order as he is holding his Swagger Stick low and looking downwards.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Fri 02 Oct 2020 09:31:32 EDT
Early Parachute Training when there was no reserve ‘chute.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Wed 23 Sep 2020 19:09:14 EDT
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 05:20:52 EDT
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 18:39:21 EDT
The weapon in the picture is the famous and very effective Vickers .303” Medium Machine Gun, belt-fed and water cooled it was extremely sturdy and reliable capable of laying down heavy protective fire in any action, the Heavy Weapons gunners loved it.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Tue 22 Sep 2020 15:11:43 EDT
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 04:58:56 EDT
The photo shows a fully constructed “Toggle Rope Bridge” using the items issued to each man in a Commando or Airborne Unit. The Paras were still issued with these into the 1970s. When I was at CTCRM there was a Para Colour Sergeant Dave Merry, The Parachute Regiment (3 Para), on a two year secondment and his was attached to his ‘58 Pattern Fighting Order as a norm, but the rope had been dyed dark green.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 13:46:14 EDT
The LMG is placed ready to fire from the right shoulder, the foresight being off-set to the left on the barrel as the rear sight was on the left hand side of the weapon. Earlier models had a drum sight later replaced with a leaf-sight
where the aiming point was also off-set to line up with the foresight. That was followed when the weapon was re chambered to fire the standard 7.62mm NATO round. I treasured that LMG which I carried in Aden.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 13:39:18 EDT
The interesting point in photo is the .303” Bren Light Machine Gun (LMG) carried by the leading man. Unusually this is fitted with a handle BELOW the butt, this LMG was intended to be used in an anti-aircraft role mounted on a Tripod or similar fitting on the Bren Carrier Tracked Vehicle.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 13:33:30 EDT
Bob holds the Military Cross and fought in Korea. Janet has ‘pinched’ his Commando Association tie and wears a Royal British Legion Blazer Badge.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Mon 14 Sep 2020 11:59:53 EDT
His Parachute Badge looks similar to that worn on Best Blues as it has a black or dark blue background and the wings appear to be gold in colour. It might also indicate that he had been attached to a Special Unit who wore this to show that distinction.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Sun 13 Sep 2020 07:15:47 EDT
This shows Bren,’live’ firing as the formation is not tactical and it looks like an improvised Range.
Posted by PrichardDavid R L on Thu 03 Sep 2020 16:45:01 EDT
