Major with the 39th Infantry Division(India), Electrical Engineering Corps

[Paul R]

Thanks to a forum friend of mine, I was able to acquire my first British Officer's uniform. This set includes what you see here, along with a set of trousers and three cloth belts with brass buckles(similar to the buckles on the leather Sam Brown belt I chose for the photo). The only things missing are a tie and the low quarter type shoes.

The trousers are named to an H. Fletcher. How difficult will it be to research this man?

There are a few alterations to the uniform, where his waistline seemingly grew a bit during his service time. As we can see by the ribbons, he must have served his entire career in India. He did not receive either the Burma or Pacific Stars.

Thanks to my wife, Hoyden R., for taking these photos for me.

[Mervyn Mitton]

One of our members surely must have a WW2 pattern khaki army tie to go with this uniform. Cotton or knitted is suitable.

So long as they are plain toed, any brown shoe or, boot would be suitable. Try the charity shops ? I have always found it easier to use a pair of socks of the right colour. No one ever notices and the rod that goes from the base into the foot to support the

dummy is easier to go through a sock.(If you go to a Charity outlet - don't let them give you a pensioner as well. They eat too much)

Mervyn

[paul wood]

Paul,

Do you have an approximate date for the uniform. I may be able to trace him in the Indian Army lists.

Paul

[Paul R]

LOL! Thanks Mervyn. You are welcome by for dinner anytime! hahaha.

Paul,

Where do I find the date on this uniform? I dont recall seeing a date stamp. I think that it is definitely a wartime piece, based upon the ribbons. What do you think?

Paul

[paul wood]

Sorry I was looking at the uniform not the ribbons, War Medal and India Service Medal, was presumably India based for the duration.

Will see if I can find anything about him.

Paul

[Odulf]

I have the correct tie for you Paul.

[paul wood]

Can't find him in any of my IALs however the 1944 or 1945 IAL lists which alas I do not have may well include him. I suspect he was a war time attached volunteer.

Paul

[Paul R]

Hi Paul,

Thank you so much for looking for me. What is a wartime attached volunteer? Are they different than regular officers?

[paul wood]

Basically a member of the Volunteer Forces who were attached for the duration.

Paul

[Paul R]

Thanks Paul. I appreciate you looking. I was looking at ebay for the unnamed India medals and they seem to be really affordable. I would like to find a nicely mounted pair of these medals for the set someday.

I will try to take a better photo of the hat badge.

Here is a thread where the uniform was discussed.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/60840-major-with-the-39th-infantry-divisionindia-electrical-engineering-corps/

[Paul R]

Here is a set of medals I found(with the help of a gracious forum member) on Ebay. I want to remount them to display with this uniform set.

I have never seen a set mounted like this before. Looks like some sort of convenience mount.

[peter monahan]

Paul

That can't be the original mounting! He, whoever he was, would never be allowed to wear them like that in uniform or even I suspect, in a Legion parade!

WWII medals to the Indian Army were issued named but I'm not sure that would apply to British officers attache for the duration originally from non-IA units. Certainly not if the medals were issued in the UK.

[Paul R]

I think that these were definitely replacements. They are not named, but they have definitely been worn like this. The tape used to secure the plastic is old and the straight pins used to hold the ribbons together underneath the plastic are rusted. I suspect an older gentleman wore them like this on his civilian attire? 1980s or 1990s? What do you think? Either way, I bought some period lengths of ribbon and will reconstruct the proper mounts following the mounting tutorial here, so that they can be displayed with the uniform.

http://gmic.co.uk/index.php/topic/62214-medal-mounting-tutorial/

[peter monahan]

I suppose one can wear the medals any way he wishes, if he's back in civvy street and not too fussy about protocol. Having said that, I doubt I'd keep the 'original mounting' were they mine. Done up proper, with either these ribbons or new ones would add immensely to their eye appeal. [thumbs up]

[Paul R]

I do have a question about the topic uniform. Would this type of cap be worn with this uniform? If not, I will need to find a visor cap.

[Odulf]

This cap would fit the uniform as barracks dress, for more formal happenings the visor cap could be used.

Both headdress are allowed, according to dress regulations, and on photos this is conformed.

Most officers prefered the Field Service Cap [Garrisson Cap] for reasons of convenience.

Also, reserve officers, who had to pay for their own uniform, chose the cheapest head dress, in particular when they were in actual service only for a short period of time in a row.

[peter monahan]

Yes, the garrison cap could be tucked into the belt - NOT the shoulder strap - and so out of the way when indoors. Also felt to have more style, especially when worn perched on the side of the head, held on I assume, with that 'greasy kid's stuff' hair dressing that one product from my youth promised to replace. The exact degree of slant was a matter of personal. or in some cases regimental, preference. Look at shots of the Legion in their berets to see what I mean - some are in a real gravity defying position!

[Michael Johnson]

It would be quite unusual that the jacket isn't named - try looking in the pockets.

Michael