Dear all, Hope you're all keeping well. The attached photo - believed to have been taken in India - has been in my family for many years. I'm told that my great uncle is the chap on the far right, and obviously the bloke on the left is Monty. Can anyone identify the other officers at all please? I did think the chap with his back to the camera might be Allenbrooke but that's just a semi-eductaed guess. I'm told that my uncle was an RSM but he looks to be wearing an officers uniform? Also my dad can remember him visiting home in his own staff car with driver - would an RSM have been permitted such luxury?! Many thanks for taking the time to read this. Regards, Mark
Montgomery visited India in 1945-46. I donlt think Brooke was there. Wavell was the Viceroy and Aukinleck the C in C of the Indian Army. Monty got on far better with Wavell than Aukinleck. Does anyone in your family have your great uncle's service records? This will show exactly what rank he held and where he served.
1945 -1976: Montgomery as CIGS (Chief of Imperial General Staff) designate in the Viceregal Gardens, New Delhi with the Viceroy, Field Marshal Wavell and Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, Field Marshal Sir Claude Auchinleck. FIELD MARSHAL THE VISCOUNT MONTGOMERY OF ALAMEIN KG GCB DSO 1887-1976. © IWM (IND 5205) IWM Non Commercial License
An RSM usually had a batman who could presumably double as a driver and if he wanted a car from the pool I can't imagine anyone saying no. As a senior WO the RSM would probably wear a Sam Brown and possibly a shirt and tie as well. Technically the RSM was the only person in the battalion to have a batman as the others were officially officers' servants.
Many thanks for the info. I don't have the service records no but I do intend to apply for a copy. So the photo is probably taken post-war then. Thanks
