coldstream

The British Forces Memorial to the Missing and those KIA on Commando Raids or in Norway. Notice the blue wreath for the Special Air Service.

The Plaque

Whilst on a recent visit to the wonderfully kept and serene Brookwood Military Cemetery it struck me how differently styled the various momuments to the Allied war dead of World War 2 are. I will start by posting the British area of the Cemetery and continue with the Allies as time permits. Firstly the entrance gates and plaque.

Thank you Rick. I am currently looking at Lithuanian units which assisted the German forces. There are similarities with the uniforms but nothing definate yet.

Thanks for the information Joe, much appreciated.

Thanks Rick, I agree about the German, a fine specimen compared to the rest. Maybe the others are Eastern European? Anyone?

Got me stumped I'm afraid, any Police experts with a suggestion please.

The second

Wanted to share these two new Police photos. I particularly like the schellenbaum ( I think thats spelt right ) photo which I found on ebay. The other is also interesting, would anyone have any opinions as to the unit. My initial thought is that the enlisted men are foreign auxiliaries in German service. Unfortunately the arm eagles can not be made out but to my eyes it has an Eastern European feel.

Thanks Tiger Pie, an interesting character who, as you say lasted longer than I bet he thought he would.

Thats brilliant CAS thanks again.

Hey Cas thats great , thanks. Unfortunately its a reprint and plain on the back. Can you let me know the book titles this man appears in please.

Leigh, thanks again for answering another one of my seemingly endless questions. I have to say I have never encountered these units before and the general feel of the photo was almost Victorian or Edwardian to my eyes. Would you or anyone have an example of the badge you mention please?

All superb photos, thanks for showing them.

This photographic card obviously shows a man in uniform who for all intents and purposes appears to be either British or Commonwealth forces. It was produced at the 'Curzon Studios' Stratford. East London and Kilburn. North London.' The man shown wears a mixture of uniform items with various insignia which I wonder if anyone has seen before. The capbadge is indistinct and the badge on his right cuff appears to be a shell or bullet through a stylised 'M'. He wears no other visible insignia, his collar and shoulder straps being plain and his belt looks to be of a civilian pattern. The beard also makes me wonder as does the way in which his puttees are worn. ( A bit slovenly in my ex Guards opinion!) A search on the net for Curzon studios shows both a Photographers studio operating in the late Victorian era and also a Film makers which makes me wonder if this could have been a publicity shot of an actor for the latter. Any ideas Leigh? anyone?

I have seen German photos with added on decorations come to think of it, especially RKT's when newly issued. I didn't think about the medal loops which of course wouldn't be on the camo jacket. Thanks agains.

Definately a possibility Leigh, I don't like the way the IAB sits, as if its been added to the photo.

Any comments gentlemen please?

That's a possibility I hadn't considered Leigh although as you say the holes are posistioned in an odd way. With luck more of this Officers items will be coming my way including some World War 2 photos so I may be able to see this insignia in use. Fingers crossed

Thanks again for the information. He also had a representation of his 12th Army badge made in bone or ivory. Two small holes can be seen so I would imagine it was mounted on a plaque or something like that.

Wonderful, thanks for that information which ties in nicely with this mans war service. Here are the other formation signs which came from him.

Any ideas please Gents

This photo recently came into my possesion and purports to show a Foreign Volunteer fighting with the German forces however there are a number of things which trouble me about the image and I would appreciate any comments. The arm shield appears to be for Latvia but to my eye doesn't sit correctly on the sleeve, I've also never seen an arm shield on the camouflage jackets but that may just be my lack of knowledge. The infantry assault badge also appears to sit wrongly and the size compared to the arm shield also makes me wonder. The image is not clear enough to identify the shoulder straps or the two medal ribbons. The photo is a reprint of an original and sadly the printing paper gives no clues as to age or origin. I wonder if anyone has seen this photo before without the shield or badge and it has been retouched to add the Latvia connection. Your thoughts Gentlemen please.

Apologies, in my last post I put Guard Dragoons and I obviously meant Guard Hussar.

Hello there, I'm pretty sure that this is not a British Hussar uniform, the sword knot is a give away and also the headress which is just visible would not conform to that worn. His uniform is similar to that worn by the Danish Guard Dragoon regiments but that is by no means a definate identification. Hope this helps.