Photo of C. Floust (?), March 1943

Hi all, I came across this picture with my g-grandmothers things (very well kept photo album!). I thought it might be her brother Cyril, but as my G-G's maiden name was West I became a little confused and in need of some help!

I'm pretty sure the name on the back says C. Floust, but if anyone thinks differently please let me know! Also, is there anything you could tell me from looking at the picture (rank perhaps)? A bit of googling led me to believe his cap badge is from REME, but I am very far from being an expert in this field so don't really know where else to look. Any tips for where to search would be just as appreciated.

Apologies if I am wrong about REME, please point me in the direction if I am!

Many, many thanks for any light you can shed!

Full size pictures are on Flickr:
C. Floust, March 1943 (front)
C. Floust, March 1943 (back)

 

Rank is Captian and the badge will be in one of my books upstairs. I'll let others have a go before I check it out.

Welcome by the way.

 

Thanks And hi!
I was planning to lurk but I can't find a similar looking picture!
& thanks also, Captain Floust eh! I wish there were more pictures to share, but it's from an album of photos and postcards sent to her by various family and friends.

 

I think you're correct about REME. But could the word be a place name rather than the subject's name?

And welcome to the forum,

Lee

 

I suppose it could be, I just immediately assumed it was his name rather than anything else. I just google mapped Floust & it didn't find anywhere so I don't know about that one!

 

Sam -
looks more like a fancy W to follow the ending of the F which MIGHT make it C.F.West

Cheers

 

Ah I see it! Amazing, thanks! Cyril's nephew had 'Francis' as a middle name, so it's possible that Cyril's might be too.

What is it about the picture that tells you he's a captain? I'm finding this all very interesting!

 

Excellent, thanks for that. Approximately how long would it have taken him to become a Captain?

 

Sam - in normal peace time about 6 years - but in war - depending on casualties and expansion of units - REME was founded in the middle of '42 and was immediately expanded to all Tank units so anyone with an engineering background would be fast tracked - every Tank squadron of 20 Tanks had three REME members in the Light Aid Detachments - plus base workshops at Brigade and Division.
Cheers

 

Thanks Tom, & everyone! All the information has been really interesting and I'm so glad that I now know a bit more information behind the photograph!