This is a famous and much-reproduced picture. I read a caption once that identified the helmetless man who looks like Patrick McGoohan as Lt Col F Y C Knox, CO 2nd RUR. He later became a brigadier, leading 69th Brigade (50th Division) in Normandy.
This is why this forum is so wonderful. You have just answered another question, of an unidentified 50th Division Brigadier in Normandy! KNOX Guy
Interesting shot. The man on the left in the beret might be Lt Col Robin Hastings, CO 6th Green Howards until he was wounded around mid-June. Hastings did not think highly of Knox.
Their is something about that picture , considering they're all in a quite precarious position they look quietly confident , the chap on the right ( sergeant ?) looks a wily old cove . (they're all named in one of the books)
Does anyone have names for these RUR officers? Many thanks in advance Lt Col Knox DSO is in the centre, bare-headed; behind him, 2-Lt Carberry. Left and right centre, 2-Lt Sturgeon and Lt St Maur Shiel, left and right foreground Captain Garratt and L Cpl Delaney (CO's driver). Page 89 'Iron Division' by Robin McNish. Andrew
Andrew, Thank you for that. I was hoping Lt. A.F Ruxton was one of them. Guy Sorryto disappoint. Did he own a camera? If so, maybe he was the photographer. Andrew
The photograph was taken by Major H E N Bredin. It was one of a series of shots of 2nd RUR published in several June, 1940 issues of LIFE magazine. LIFE also published a personal account by a Cpl Wandsworth of the battalion. DUNKIRK 1940 | Imperial War Museums
Andy, I was looking for a photograph of Lt. A.F Ruxton, he is mentioned in the 2 RUR's war diary during May 1940. After Dunkirk he transferred to the Commandos and was killed on Sicily. Guy
Major Bredin, by the way, was one hell of a soldier and had a very distinguished career. He had already won an MC in Palestine and served with Wingate's Special Night Squads. He later led a battalion in the 38th (Irish) brigade in Italy, and after 1945 he went on to fight in Palestine (again), Cyprus, and Borneo. Maj-Gen 'Bala' Bredin - Telegraph Lt Col A E C "Speedy" Bredin led the 1st Dorsets of 50th Division in 1944, and I suspect that he was a relative.
Couldn't help but look - He was a 2/Lieut in May 1940 and was the Battalions Gas Officer and worked in D Company. 2/Lieut Carberry was in B Coy. 2/Lieut Sturgeon was A/Carrier Officer, C Coy Interesting one - Lieut St. M Shiel was Int Officer with HQ Coy but is listed on leave on the 11th May so without reading all of the diary of May he either did very well to get back or his has been incorrectly identified. Lieut Garratt was Works Officer D Coy Lieut Bredin MC was A Coy
Drew, a lot of officers of 50th Division were on leave on 10 May, including one or two COs. Many of them did get back in time to join their units, so I assume it would be the same in 3rd Division.
Here is the caption I saw that named Knox: Dunkirk: Retreat to Victory - Julian Thompson - Google Books Note that Thompson's caption isn't quite the same as the one given earlier here, positioning the men somewhat differently. Bredin's helmet is in the bottom of the picture. St. Maur Shiel was attached from the L Ir R.
Interesting shot. The man on the left in the beret might be Lt Col Robin Hastings, CO 6th Green Howards until he was wounded around mid-June. Hastings did not think highly of Knox. I believe the photograph dates from August 1944, was Hastings replaced after being wounded?
Does anyone have a complete collection of the images Bredin took at Dunkirk and did Bredin write a book about his experiences in France during 1940? I've been reading some of his interview archives held at the Imperial War Museum and hoping it was turned into a more substantial book.