coldstream

Found this fairly common Commemorative scroll to a Great War Officer in a local antique shop. The Officer is shown as Captain Francis Richard Cubbon MC & Bar of the 1st 72nd Punjabis. Research to date shows that this Captain was killed in action whilst serving as an Observer in the Royal Flying Corps on 9th June 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. He was credited with 21 aerial victories and so, I believe would have been refferred to as an ace. His MC London Gazette entry states 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown great pluck and determination acting as observer, on several occaisions displaying fine marksmanship and coolness against numbers of the enemy.' His subsequent Bar entry reads, 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When acting as an observer on an offensive he displayed great skill and courage against superior numbers of the enemy. Throughout he backed up his pilot with a remarkable display of marksmanship.'

Just found this amongst my archived photos and thought I would add to this topic. 'The Handy Men Whale Island July 1902' Nice view of Sennet hats in wear.

Thank you Peter, all stunning and yes I'm really jealous :cheers:

Excellent helmet Peter. Any chance of showing us those other helmets please :cheers:

A superb example to a famous Regiment, thanks for showing us. Is the helmet named to its original owner? :cheers:

A recent addition to my collection of a photograph of a young Fusilier. No drum or band insignia is worn.

Many thanks to you all. An interesting photo and the fact that Military photographers had a supply of uniforms to pose in makes good sense and would explain Ricks point. Thanks again.

Excellent, thank you Richard. A lovely large photo which I'm very pleased with, close up images to follow. Hopefully!

The rear of the card.

Here is an old photographic postcard I recently obtained which was produced in the 'Photo Rapide H Bessard studio' in Versailles. From the winged propeller insignia on his headwear I am assuming that this individual is a member of the French Air Service of the Great War. Under a glass his buttons show the French grenade and I am again assuming that this is an army tunic. His belt also appears to be of the standard British 'Sam Browne' type worn without the cross straps. Any thoughts Gentlemen?

A recent ebay buy, entitled 'R W Fus on hill training Chak 04'. An excellent clear photograph which unfortunately is too damned big for the scanner. I'm working on some close ups using a camera but the results are not good. I'll keep trying and post them if I can. I believe that Chak is a location in India or Afghanistan, in the front rank of the photo are two soldiers form the 2nd Ghurkas which would obviously tie in with this. Perhaps you would know the Battalion pictured here Richard?

And a close up of the Waldeck.

My first Imperial group, a Birthday present from my other half which she found in a local country auction.......a very nice Birthday indeed :cheers:

Another excellent photo Peachy, thank you. Am I right in thinking that you are responsible for the excellent online museum, Soldiers of the Queen?

Page 2.

First page.

The following two pictures show scans of a real operational order dated 3rd November 1918 relating to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards taking part in a large scale attack the following day by the Guards Division. The attack was carried out in an easterly direction towards the Bavai-Quene au Loup road which is in Northen France. As can be seen this operational order emanated from the Grenadiers Commanding Officer of the time, Lt Col the Honourable W R Bailey DSO and was issued at 1830 hours on the day before the attack by the Assistant Adjudant. It would appear that 9 copies of this order were made and this one is hand noted as copy 5 and is shown as being issued to OC T.M Battery. (trench mortars ???) Paragraph 6 is particularly interesting as it details ammunition scales and dress. I particularly like note f which states that the Officers were to wear camouflage and webbing equipment and that sticks were not to be carried! Does anyone have any idea what is meant by camouflage in this context? I would imagine it refers to rank insignia but would be interested in your views Gentlemen. Nevertheless a nice document steeped in history.

A close up.

Here's another period photo of Great war troops on the march, this time the Grenadier Guards circa 1915. These troops are carryring very roughly made flags which I am sure are range flags, infact I remember them being of the same pattern when I was on the ranges. Very different in construction and quality to the first picture, what do you think Leigh? Then again being an ex Coldstreamer the rough quality and shoddiness of the flags could be because they are Grenadiers!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes:

Excellent information as always Leigh, thank you very much.

One I picked up some time ago. I believe him to be an Administration official of some kind but I cannot see any insignia on his apparently very thin shoulder boards. The medal bar appears to be cut off by the photograph.

An excellent thought Leigh, thank you. Another observation though is that its almost as if they have a special posistion in the order of march and I wonder if range flags would have given them that significance. As with most photos there is nothing on the back to help......infuriating but makes for more dogged research!!!!!!!!!!!!

A better view.

Here is a photograph showing part of an infantry Battalion on the march which I have so far been unable to identify due to the quality of the image. From the cuff ranks of the Officers I would expect this to be early Great War period. What puzzles me is what are the sticks carried by the file of Lance Corporals at the front of the column? The remainder of the other ranks carry their rifles at the port arms whilst the L/Cpls have their's slung. The stick like objects are too long for swagger sticks and, I'm sure would not be carried along with rifles. The L/Cpls do not appear to wear any signals qualification badges but some form of signal flag could be an option. Another option could be some sort of range marking device for rifle fire but given the high standard of weapons training of the BEF I'm not sure this would be the case. Any thoughts would be appreciated Gentlemen.

Simon, thanks for all that information. The first picture is, I'm sure a motorised gun boat, no doubt about it. Thanks again for that link too. The indicators in the second one you point out would also make me agree with your identification, thanks. Its just a pity there's nothing on the back to indicate a particular ship but that would be asking too much! :cheers: