Hi, perhaps you can help with this photo. The person on the left is my grandfahther who served in the Wiltshire Regiment. Are the other men in the same regiment? Do you recognize their ranks?
Middle chap's cap badge looks like Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders to me. edit: Ignore my comment , see below
I was thinking KOSB for the middle soldier and as it a beret rather than a Tam it would imply 7th KOSB Alistair
thank you, so having read the text on this website 7th Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers (KOSB) | ParaData It is possible that this soldier took part in "Market Garden", so the photo might have been taken in late 1944 possibly in Holland?
The feel I get from the photo is more 1945 near or just after the end of the War, collars and ties weren’t the norm til about them (although some individuals and units unofficially wore them earlier when off duty). He may have been at Arnhem or been a post battle replacement.
The soldier on the right has his WW2 ribbons so after May 1945 - I would guess and agree with AB64 I would also guess all are NCO's (probably privates) - from what can be seen the right and left men show no rank insignia on arms or shoulders, the centre man shows no discernable rank on his shoulders, but may have something on his unseen arms. Wondering if they are in a Holding Unit/camp awaiting demob, looking at the nissen type huts behind them, second half of 1945 into 1946 even Just my thoughts TD
His soldier's service book is stamped with 5 Feb. 1947 York Transit Camp 113 BOAR So the photo might show this camp
What do the two stripes on your Grandfather's left forearm mean & why are they on his forearm? My eyes are not the best when I've not got my specks on! Regards, Stu.
Service stripes were worn on the lower left arm to indicate years of service, each red stripe indicates 1 years service during 1940 to 1945, and the white shows that your served before the war started i.e. a regular soldier. TD
Lower LEFT arm are Good Coduct stripes. 1 for 2 years. 2 for 5 years 3 for 12 years 4 for 16 years 5 for 21 years source : page 119 Handbook on the British Army 1943 TD , what you refer to is overseas service stripes for the Canadian Army. red stripes with 1 silver stripe Service Chevrons
Owen, Thanks for the correction.. I knew nothing of them. I'm sure TD will agree that he has been corrected? learn something new everyday.. Thanks, Stu.
Hi everyone! My mum found another photo, which says April 1945 Andy, Johnny, Duff, Buck Brian and myself (Albert). Perhaps you do recognise any of the people. Best Chris