Sicily Photo - Royal Artillery plus?

Discussion in 'Royal Artillery' started by Paul Reed, Sep 18, 2009.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I recently got a group photo taken in Sicily in September 1943. An extract from it below. They appear to be mostly Royal Artillery with what looks like their C/O in the middle of the photo, but he has a different badge. Could it be a Yeomanry unit converted to RA?

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Close up of C/O.

    [​IMG]
     
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Paul that looks like a 2nd Lt with one pip, not their CO.
     
  4. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    It's hard to tell on that scan, especially as the original photo is printed on rather odd paper with those wavy lines, but I actually think it is a Majors crown, Owen.

    Could be wrong, and it's interesting his pip/crown is blackened.
     
  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    chap sat in front of him has similaer cap badge, any chance of enlarging that?
     
  6. CROONAERT

    CROONAERT Ipsissimus

    Isn't it a RB cap-badge? (which would compliment the (possibly) rifle green lanyard and the green/black crown of his rank)

    dave.
     
  7. Smudger Jnr

    Smudger Jnr Our Man in Berlin

    It also has the shape of a RE Badge.

    Did officers in RE wear landyards?

    Just a thought.

    Regards
    Tom
     
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Sorry for being pedantic but if he is a Major I think he would be a OC rather than a CO. :D

    If he's a Subbie I suspect he's probably attached to the unit either in a advisory role or support role as in clerical.

    The chap on his right looks like a full Colonel or Captain-I can't make out if the top badge is a pip or crown.

    I must get a book on WW2 cap badges :unsure:
     
  9. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Sorry for being pedantic but if he is a Major I think he would be a OC rather than a CO. :D



    Remember terminology you used during your own (modern) military career, wasn't always in common use 70 years ago. C/O is more commonly used in contemporary documents than OC.

    It's something of a mystery, and Dave could be right, he may well be RB. I wonder if they were 7th Armoured? No signs of any divisional insignia though.
     
  10. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Just noticed the chap in front of the Officer has the same cap badge on his side cap.

    Just saw Owen has already mentioned it. The chap that looks like he's kneeling on the right infont of the officer looks to have a similiar badge too although half of it is covered.
     
  11. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Paul I like seeing these pics of yours, but always wonder what happened to the men.

    [No idea about badges.] Did note that some knees are def. browner than others...
     
  12. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    This is the chap in front.

    [​IMG]
     
  13. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    This is what you thought was a half-colonel, Andy. I'm not sure now I've enlarged it.

    [​IMG]
     
  14. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    I agree Paul - A Lieutenant. A crown would have a flat base rather than the point in the picture.
     
  15. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Paul I like seeing these pics of yours, but always wonder what happened to the men.

    Yes, I do wonder that, too. :poppy:
     
  16. Simnett

    Simnett Junior Member

    Is it possible to get a copy of the complete photo, I am researching my father's Army carreer, (17 years). He served with the Royal Artillery in Sicily as a sergeant where he was wounded.
     

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