This is the only photo we have of my Uncle in the Army and no-one know who he served with or where. All we know is: Born 13 DEC 1919, Lambeth His father was with Royal Field Ambulance WW1 WW2 - Brothers in: Royal Artillery (bandsman) 65 LAA Reg Royal Artillery 8th Bn Royal Tank Regiment I wondered if it was Royal Artillery but his cap doesn't have the 3 buttons his brother in the 65th has. Any thoughts would be very welcome. Thanks.
Hi Val, You would do better applying for his service records as the cap badge looks indistinguishable in the image There does look to be a medal bar on his left chest. Difficult to identify a regiment. His name would help others assist you as well. If his father was in the Field Ambulance during the Great War he would have served in the Royal Army Medical Corps. Scott
Hi Scott, sadly he (James Albert Loftus) moved away from his family when he married and despite recently getting in touch with a Grandson there is no interest at the moment in researching family history... but I will try again. I don't think as a niece I would be able to apply for the papers on my own without a signature from a descendent. But let me know if I'm wrong. Thank you!
I zoomed in on my computer screen to see if I could see the cap badge better. Don't think its Royal Artillery and the absence of a lanyard on his right shoulder seems confirm this. I thought that there was something on his right epaulette but on enlarging a screenshot its just a mark on the photo. His shoes appeared to be a lighter colour than black but again I think that it is an illusion. Posted the enlargement in case someone has ideas on the cap badge. There is a photographers stamp on the bottom right of the picture which might reveal where it was taken but might mean nothing of interest.
I have checked the Royal Artillery enlistment books up to 1942 and his name does not appear. There is a Pte J.A. Loftus mentioned in the casualty lists as being wounded in the Western Desert on 3rd November 1942. He was Pte 6914030 2nd Battalion, The Rifle Brigade. I cannot confirm that this is the same man but he is a possibility. James Albert Loftus was born on the 13th December 1919 and died on the 5th October 1999. His death was registered in Worksop, Nottinghamshire.
Could it be a Rifle Brigade? There's a J. A. Loftus on the Casualty List, 2nd Bn. (Bit of a long shot I know).
Yes this is him re birth and dath. I also spotted the Casualty List (ignore my post below). No idea if this could be him but I'm hoping maybe the shape of the cap badge might give a clue. Thanks for your help in this.
The Rifle Brigade cap badge was roughly oval in shape and made of a white metal, so it is a possibility for the cap badge worn in the photograph. However the detail is so poor in the photograph that it is impossible to be definite. It might help with obtaining his service records as they can rule him in or out very easily.
Thank you very much for this. As the badge is sideways on his cap it could be this badge....but as you say can't be conclusive. Looks like I will have to approach the family again to see if they will let me apply for his service papers. Do you think I can apply myself as niece?
I applied for and got my uncles records but that was 2014. You should still get them though. Regarding the photo he is wearing KD Khaki Dress (or Drill) uniform which matches his service in N Africa It looks new so possibly taken when he arrived or convalescing after being in hospital (ref the Casualty Record). He is not wearing a Divisional flash Badge on his arm or epaulette possibly awaiting posting. Excerpt From a wartime letter written in North Africa "Since yesterday I have become a shop window soldier, resplendent in new K.D. new flashes, webbing and gaiters scrubbed white and highly glazed boots". (in your photo he is wearing shoes so probably not on duty) 1st Division epaulette flash on shoulder List of North African campaign battles - Wikipedia
I am not sure about application for service records. I do know that enlistment books existed for every regiment and that some of them survive online and in regimental museums. The problem is that the British Army has been decimated and with regimental amalgamations many of the old regiments no longer have regimental museums. If you could locate the enlistment book it would give the full name of 6914030 J.A. Loftus. With regard to identifying cap badges worn in photographs of WW2 soldiers it is very often difficult, if not impossible due to the cap badge being worn on the side of the cap. In the Great War, the badges were worn on the front of the cap and so much easier to identify the regiment. There may still be some clues in your photograph. If the studio name at the bottom right of the photograph gives a location such as Cairo, it will confirm a North African connection, likewise with the medal ribbons. Can you enlarge both sections of the photograph?
Attached, epaulette, studio and pocket, but as I don't have the original it all looks like smudges. The studio to me looks like West something. I'm going to get in touch with the person who has the original and see if we can see more, and I'll pursue all the suggestions above.
As to the date of the photo, if no pre WW2 service he could be wearing the ribbon of either of the first campaign medals/stars issued in WW2, the 1939-43 Star & the Africa Star for which the ribbons only were issued from 1943 onwards.
Thank you everyone for your help, I'm acting on al the information you have kindly provided. I've also gone back to one of his Grandchildren with a request (renewed vigor!) to at least find out his Army No. or Regiment. I've told them I want to send off for his service papers and of course I need at least one of these in order to apply. Thanks again.
Date of birth, service number if you know it, at present I think we are guessing. Get a copy of military records of service: Apply for the records of a deceased serviceperson - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) Do you know for certain that he was born in Lambeth as there is also a possible in Liverpool, also a James Loftus living in Liverpool in 1939 with the same birthday.
Thank you Tony, yes he was definitely born in Lambeth. I'm a keen family history researcher so have various records for him and his family. Only thing missing is any info on his War Service. Thanks so much. Val
