jagwca

The web site "Britains Small Wars" has many first hand accounts from servicemen who were there 1945/48 also a listing of many of the aunits involved.

John

Have noticed that most of you ignor the GSM Clasp for Palestine earned during the period 19th April 1936 and 3rd September 1939 numerous Regimens qualified so not a lead there but narrows down a 3 year period of service

john

2 things that must have some revelance is the #1 and the colour fo the plume gold over scarlet on the kepi.

John

I find the re-introduction of the Royal Arms over Four Stripes for the Garrison Segt.Major rather facinating now what about the Accademy Segt.Major which some people concider to be the senior appointment?

John

RAF Identity Discs are from the number block 4017000-4202563 non ATC regular enlistments Dec 1946/June 1958.

John

Leigh, Looking at the arm badge and my old book of badges wondered if it might be the 23rd Hussars.

John

Graham,I've never heard of mixed Home Guard AA Batteries but that could be just me.There were however mixed RA Batteries with members of the ATS wearing the RA grenade over their left breast pocket at first operating and servicing the ancillery equipment(range finders and Radar)then on rocket batteries took over the weapons a friend served on one in Hyde Park first on radar then a gun number.

So it's quite likely that women served on Home Guard Batteries after about 1943.

John

Some sort of aircraft navigation devise RAF.

John

Leigh,after a much closer scrutiny of the cap badge have to agree Beds & Herts a rush to judgement and my book on wartime badges is not the best.

2nd Batt. served in India 1920

Iraq 1925

UK 1926

Palestine 1936

UK 1938

France 1939/40 4th Dividion

John

Hi Liegh,I think the collar dogs are the key(I don'y have any information on them)But the badge is just blurry enough to get confused as it does appear to have a crown at the top thats why I went that route.

The 1st Batt. served in India prior to the war so it could be a fit.

John

1st Batt mainly at home.

2nd Batt. India 1922-33

Sudan 1934

Home 1935

France 1939-40

John

Jeanette,

Looks like the Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regt.

John

Royal Artillery

John

A rather tired old mind is having aproblem.

In 1944 when the 1st SAS were stationed outside of Chelmsford Essex they wore a maroon title with 1st Special Air Serve spelled out in full in sky blue I vividly remember this title but have seen no reference to it just the white SAS on red of which photos exist in the early operations in France.It was most likely only to have been worn for a very short period say January 1944 to April/May 1944.

Has any SAS expert or collector a photo?or can my memories be substanciated other ways.

Thank-you in advance.

John

Leigh,what years did your father spend in Canada?

The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders are a Reserve Army Unit based in Hamilton,Ontario.Have spent many happy hours in the Officers Mess with friends that were Company Commanders with the Regiment.

Nice to see the old photos of the pre-war and wartime vets.

John

Leigh straying off subject alittle but several sun helmets and flashes to keep you busy.

Here is a Crossley armoured car in India no date but commenced production early 1920's this appears to be an early one.

John

Leigh in post #6 the badge does seem to be RAF but the armoured car is not a Rolls Royce which the RAF Armoured Car Companies were euipped but an educated guess because of the dome turret with twin vickers would be a Crossley.A few were used for airfield defence in Irak so #1 RAF Armoured Car Company.

The airmens dress would indicate around 1937 or later before that they wore boots and puttees rather than knee stockings and low quarter shoes.

John

My Grandfather a Colour Sergeant in the Hampshire Regt. the little girl is my mother the baby was born December 1899 which would make my mother about 4 years old she was born in 1896 so the picture would be about 1900 he retired from the army in 1902 after 22 years service.The medal is the Indian General Service clasp Burma 1887-89 note he has 4 stripes above is the Musketry Instructors Badge on his left arm a marksmans badge the collar dog is a wreathed rose ,I have one along with his cap badge,when I was very young had his tunic as well don't know what happened to it.When the Regiment change from the 8 company system to 4 he became Company Sergeant Major.During WW1 he was recalled and served in a Home Defence Battalion.

I keep trying to add a picture but don't know how to make it smaller

John

You got it right the first time a war corresponant

The adventures of the Calcutta Light Horse have been immortalized in the movie "The Sea Wolves" with Gregory Peck David Niven and Roger Moore in the lead rolls based on James Lessor's book "Raiding Party"produced by Euan Lloyd directed by Andrew McLaglen ( the son of actor Victor and WW1 flying ace)a dvd is available.

John

The poor quality of the pearls in the crown and the dimpled appearance of the back with blobs at end of each point I would suggest a caste copy.

John

Hi everyone!!

How can you tell the difference between an original WWII Star, and a copy/fake/reproduction?

Thanks!

Jason

Here is my Burma Star......

Cheers Ed. Any idea when the Burma ribbon made an appearance?

The Honours,Decorations and Medals committee published by H.M Stationary Office in June 1946.

John

The cap appears to be a naval type but the badge is "Middlesex Regiment"

John

The crews of the little ships even if under RN command did not serve the required 28 days to qualify for the War Medal but did qualify for the 1939/45 star under the one day rule for service at Dunkirk.

John

Digging a little deeper your man would have had to have been on an operatioal squadron not attached for a period of 4months and completed an operation over europe prior to June 5th 1944 and qualified for the 1939/45 star prior to this period commencing.Joy-riding did not count.

Most unlikely for a Balloon Officer unlles aircrew at an earlier time.

John