coldstream

Strangely enough I've seen that eye colour often on old records, not a colour one would associate with eyes but seems to crop up frequently. All the best Simon.

Having had a further look, Hardcastle has a number of pages of his Short Service Attestation Form online. John Hardcastle 6049 Cheshire Regiment Attested ages 21 years 3 months from Birkenhead, Cheshire, Occupation Labourer. Height 5 ft 5 1/2 inches, Weight 135 lb, Chest 37 1/2 inches. Fresh complexion, Grey eyes, Brown hair, C of E. Attested 10/1/99 Transferred to Reserve 09/1/07 Termination of Service 09/1/11. Cheers Simon

Ancestry has your Man as Private 6049 J Hardcastle 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment entitled QSA, Bars Johannesberg, Cape Colony and Orange Free State and KSA with both date Bars. Regards Simon.

Kevin Thanks very much for the images, always like to study period photographs and note the uniform distinctions. A sad tale regarding the Chief Constable indeed! Thanks again for a very interesting thread. Simon

Kevin and Dave, A very interesting and informative thread, thanks very much to you both. Kevin, sorry to be a pain, but if you get a chance can you show an enlargement of the seated Officers in the last Photograph. Would like to see the caps and Helmet being worn if that's possible. Thanks again Simon

Well done everybody, learnt something new today Simon

This is an intriguing puzzle, another thing I have only just noticed is that the word September is misspelt ! Simon

Having again looked at the images close up is the second letter definatetly a 't'? it looks like it could be an 'i' or 1. Simon.

Just an observation but wouldn't a Corporal be called a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery? Perhaps we need to look further afield? Regards Simon.

Could we see the liner please, Lovely Helmet by the way. Simon

Hello there, I take it you are referring to the Gentleman in civilian clothes, if so my guess would be David Margesson, Secretary of State for War 1940 to 42. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Margesson,_1st_Viscount_Margesson Regards Simon

Keith, My Course was within Unit too, not sure there was an Army wide external course at that time, not sure if there is now. A good course as I remember, though lugging that SF tripod about along with all the extra ammunition...............completed my Course in the Falklands just to add that bit of extra hardship Simon

Hello and welcome to the Forum, Completed a SF Course myself in 1985 and wasn't aware that a Qualification Badge for this existed. Certainly never saw one or ever heard one mentioned. Did you complete the course internally in Unit or was it an external Course. Can only speak for the Household Division during my Service time (80 to 92) but would say this Badge didn't exist then, mind you having gained a Distinguished pass on the Infantry SAA Course at Aldershot I was issued with a Crossed Rifles badge to wear above the chevrons but on returning to Battalion was told that it wasn't to worn! Regards Simon.

Pretty sure that if this was in any way a World War 2 issue knife it would have the War Department 'crows foot' mark or Air Ministry mark somewhere on it. Any marks visible at all? Regards Simon

Mats, I don't have a definite answer for you but a red band on WW2 Fire Brigade helmets denoted a Leading Fireman I believe, not saying that is what it is by the way. Could also be a Factory or Company logo represented on the front. Do not believe it represents a British Army Regiment but may be wrong. Regards Simon

Welcome to the Forum, look forward to seeing your collection and trying to help if I can. Regards Simon

Peter, That is a very well painted and composed study of a Member of this famous Unit. Love seeing the old uniforms in photographs and to see them in colour is even better, Thanks for showing us. Simon.

A good site with some excellent uniform images, I particularly liked the photograph of Sergeant Taria, Grenadiere de la Garde, 1809-1815. looks like he still had a lot of fight left in him when this was taken. Regards Simon.

Nice image, not my field of expertise at all but you should find the answer to identification on this site https://www.ottoman-uniforms.com/1860-till-1876-ottoman-army-uniforms/ Regards Simon

Strange badge, doesn't seem to have much quality about it, whats the back look like and does it have a makers name at all? An indication of size and what its made of may assist too please. Regards Simon

Haven't seen anything like that before and as Peter says I see no way of attaching it to anything unless you are going to stick it to a plaque or perhaps a card holder type wallet or similar. Sorry can't be more helpful, Simon

Sorry, can't get the images to show on the post despite refreshing the page. Simon

Here is one I missed recently at a local auction, thought the hammer price was reasonable! http://www.windibank.co.uk/auction_lot_view.asp?nAuctionLot_ID={641E4524-63C4-4EA2-8AFA-A461DB289AA1} Simon

Have to say the first Derby Weekend which was solely policed by Surrey was a bit of a stretch from our Uniformed point of view, saw quite a few Officers out and about who hadn't seen the Public for a while and waiting for the 'Stand Down' from Bronze Commander took a while, still if you can't take a joke and all that! Simon

Similar details to those you have already written about are contained within this link along with a few illustrations. https://www.scribd.com/doc/252481891/epsom?secret_password=u0cjtXFH3tH4hopxSv3x#fullscreen&from_embed Bob Bartlett does a good job with the Surrey Constabulary History on this site http://www.surrey-constabulary.com/ Regards Simon