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Remembered Today:

Postcards


trenchtrotter

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28 minutes ago, 58 Div Mule said:

I'd have this as father and son(s). The man standing on the right has a likeness to the older man seated; to my eye anyway.

 

Without being rude or wishing to cause offence, they're both a little on the 'portly' side, maybe not by today's standards but compared to other WW1 photos?   

I read the relationship between the men the same way. They all look like big lads.

26 minutes ago, Muerrisch said:

Chunky by today's standards too, but a lot might be muscle.

 

Or dad might be a butcher.

They certainly look well fed, and capable of hard work of some sort.

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Unusual to see leather leggings/gaiters on a stretcher bearer.

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The SB is wearing what appears to be riding breaches 

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On 23/01/2019 at 22:49, Dai Bach y Sowldiwr said:

A postcard from Eastbourne, the photographer's name has been torn off one corner, but his studios were at 19 Elm Buildings, Eastbourne.

Ambiguously entitled  "11th Battalion Royal Welch Regiment at Eastbourne 26.9.[Year disappeared in a hole in Postcard, but I assume 1914?]."

Welsh Regiment or RWF? I think 11th Battalions of both regiments were in Eastbourne in late 1914.

I am intrigued by some of the facial expressions in the back row, particularly the 5th recruit from the left who has a rather menacing look. Either that or his head has been Photoshopped in!

I assume the sender was standing far right (marked with a cross), but have no idea who he was or where they might be from. The card was discovered in a local historical society's archives, so there might be (or not) a West Wales connection

 

 

The Battalion, or perhaps more accurately, the recruits of the Cardiff Commercial (Pals) Battalion and their goat were only here in Eastbourne  for just over a week but made a strong impression in the town.

 

The men were billeted in the town around The Saffrons sports ground which was, and still is, the home of both football and cricket clubs.  The ground and buildings were placed at their disposal and used as their headquarters.  ‘The young men were drawn from the commercial class of the city (Cardiff) and almost every trade was represented.”  A class of recruits  whose ‘exemplary behaviour’ while in the town was much appreciated by the gentlefolk of Eastbourne.  

 

The photograph was probably taken at the Saffrons, or the nearby Gildrege Park. Not sure you would identify Cardiff as ‘West Wales’.

 

Ken

 

 

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Thanks Ken,

 

We're working on the basis that  either a West Walian had moved to Cardiff for work and sent this card home to relatives, or that  a Cardiffian had at some point later moved west bringing his card with him. There are many other possibilities. 

 

So they were there for only a week?

Do you have the exact dates?

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On 29/05/2017 at 19:57, Jerry B said:

Aussie with Rising sun collars and on his slouch hat.  I notice he has football buttons and a cover on his watch.  Anyone know the colour patch? This is a lovely sharp image from Pontypridd in Wales, which came as part of a "family" lot from west Wales

a Australian soldier wm.jpg

 

Having previously only ever looked at this thread on occasion I finally bit the bullet and committed myself to go through it from the start and glad I did too. Only downer is that some of the images are no longer available to view.

 

Being rather ignorant of British formations and badges etc I've been happy to go along with majority rules on any given discussion, but since committing myself I've found a couple of Australian photos that haven't really been touched so thought I'd chime in - even after all these months!!!

 

Even though the patch isn't clearly shown I'd be happy to put my money on it being 4th Australian Divisional Train (AASC) (c. 1916-19), it being the circle of the 4th Division divided diagonally (top rear to bottom fore) dark blue over white.

 

There are only two other circular patches divided this way, but as the colours don't match I've dismissed them both -

·         4th Divisional Artillery (c. 1916-19) - Blue over Red

·         11th Light Horse Regt (c. 1916-17) - White over Red

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

 

Edited by Fromelles
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On 27/08/2017 at 22:32, Chef_Hendrix said:

I am unsure where the last photo came from, it could have come from either the Renner, Benton or Clark(e) side of my family, no one knows! It is not WW1 and is stamped on the back Aug 1940 but i thought it may be of interest to someone. The only members of my family i know who served during WW2 served in the Gordon Highlanders and the F.A.A.ws10.jpg.b71e3ede7461dd77773ea75b8d655b56.jpgws12.jpg.1e10b4cf6c84a721d49f71312392329e.jpg

 

Thanks for looking,

 

Gaz

 

Hi Gaz,

 

I’ll give your WW2 Diggers a go!

 

I’m quite certain these are the two named men (left and centre) -

 

·         VX12868 S/Sgt Fredric Steven CODE – DoB: 24 Oct 1901 (Shepparton, Victoria) – Enlisted: 24 Apr 1940 (Caulfield, Victoria) - Date of Discharge: 2 Oct 1945 – Posting at Discharge: 2 Forestry Coy

 

·         VX11862 Lieut Sydney Claude GREEN – DoB: 12 Feb 1905 (Melbourne, Victoria) – Enlisted: 23 Apr 1940 (Caulfield, Victoria) – Posted: Forestry Coy (22 Apr 1940) – Promoted: Sgt (6 May 1940) – Disembarked: Liverpool, England (18 Jul 1940) – Date of Discharge: 16 Dec 1943 – Posting at Discharge: Australian Army Pay Corps

 

Sydney Green’s records have been digitized and are available HERE. Unfortunately, at present, Fred Code’s records aren’t available to view.

 

I took a punt that 'Jerome' may be the third in the photo, but after a quick search, other than a couple of possibles, I couldn't find anyone that really fit the bill.

 

The colour patch they are wearing is the Forestry Companies (c.1940-43) – Scarlet diamond on Purple square and superimposed on a Battleship Grey square boarder, signifying 2nd AIF service.

 

A bonus to collecting photos is the real sense of satisfaction of being able to give these 'unknowns' their identities back. 

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

Edited by Fromelles
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Dear All,

143059 Gnr BEATTIE, Milton, crossed over to France on 8 Aug 1917. He was with 408th Siege Battery, RGA, and was wounded at Ypres on 13 Sep 1917.

Two pages of scorched papers survive, as do his medals (BWM and Victory confirmed on the 408th Siege Battery roll 6 Apr 1920). Likewise Beattie's Identification Disk (C of E) on stout string, plus two buttons!

Milton Beattie was 21 when he enlisted at Ripon in 1917 (Trade or Calling: 'Gamekeeper'). Notes with the medals show the following taken from his autograph album:-

'143059 Gunner M. Beattie, RA. enlisted 7 Mar 1917. RGA. South Camp, Ripon. (1) No. 17 Hut, 408th Siege Battery, RGA, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, Shropshire. (2) Wood Town, Lydd, Kent. (3) 19 Hut, 15th Camp, Codford, Wilts.

'Sailed from Portsmouth, Wed. 8 Aug 1917. (4) Right Section, Artillery Base, BEF, France. (5) 291st Siege Battery, RGA, BEF, France.

Wounded by shrapnel in the head at Ypres, 13 Sep 1917. After being in hospital in Liverpool 2 months was stationed at Fort Brockhurst, Hants., Clarence Barracks, Portsmouth, and Coadem Camp, Bexhill. 

'Sailed from Southampton, 2 Jan 1918 to join 77th Siege Battery, France.'

Kindest regards,

Kim.962811482_GnrBeattieRGA1917.jpg.ce20f0c01fa0a601b44f803721babe00.jpg174265024_GnrM.BeattieRA.jpg.6e80684e6fcfc29276f6af7716ccbc3d.jpg

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On 26/01/2019 at 15:23, Fromelles said:

 

Hi Gaz,

 

I’ll give your WW2 Diggers a go!

 

I’m quite certain these are the two named men (left and centre) -

 

·         VX12868 S/Sgt Fredric Steven CODE – DoB: 24 Oct 1901 (Shepparton, Victoria) – Enlisted: 24 Apr 1940 (Caulfield, Victoria) - Date of Discharge: 2 Oct 1945 – Posting at Discharge: 2 Forestry Coy

 

·         VX11862 Lieut Sydney Claude GREEN – DoB: 12 Feb 1905 (Melbourne, Victoria) – Enlisted: 23 Apr 1940 (Caulfield, Victoria) – Posted: Forestry Coy (22 Apr 1940) – Promoted: Sgt (6 May 1940) – Disembarked: Liverpool, England (18 Jul 1940) – Date of Discharge: 16 Dec 1943 – Posting at Discharge: Australian Army Pay Corps

 

Sydney Green’s records have been digitized and are available HERE. Unfortunately, at present, Fred Code’s records aren’t available to view.

 

I took a punt that 'Jerome' may be the third in the photo, but after a quick search, other that a couple of possibles, I couldn't find anyone that really fit the bill.

 

The colour patch they are wearing is the Forestry Companies (c.1940-43) – Scarlet diamond on Purple square and superimposed on a Battleship Grey square boarder, signifying 2nd AIF service.

 

A bonus to collecting photos is the real sense of satisfaction of being able to give these 'unknowns' their identities back. 

 

Cheers,

 

Dan

Thanks Dan,

 

I've messaged you.

 

Gaz

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14 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Dear All,

143059 Gnr BEATTIE, Milton, crossed over to France on 8 Aug 1917. He was with 408th Siege Battery, RGA, and was wounded at Ypres on 13 Sep 1917.

Two pages of scorched papers survive, as do his medals (BWM and Victory confirmed on the 408th Siege Battery roll 6 Apr 1920). Likewise Beattie's Identification Disk (C of E) on stout string, plus two buttons!

Milton Beattie was 21 when he enlisted at Ripon in 1917 (Trade or Calling: 'Gamekeeper'). Notes with the medals show the following taken from his autograph album:-

'143059 Gunner M. Beattie, RA. enlisted 7 Mar 1917. RGA. South Camp, Ripon. (1) No. 17 Hut, 408th Siege Battery, RGA, Prees Heath, Whitchurch, Shropshire. (2) Wood Town, Lydd, Kent. (3) 19 Hut, 15th Camp, Codford, Wilts.

'Sailed from Portsmouth, Wed. 8 Aug 1917. (4) Right Section, Artillery Base, BEF, France. (5) 291st Siege Battery, RGA, BEF, France.

Wounded by shrapnel in the head at Ypres, 13 Sep 1917. After being in hospital in Liverpool 2 months was stationed at Fort Brockhurst, Hants., Clarence Barracks, Portsmouth, and Coadem Camp, Bexhill. 

'Sailed from Southampton, 2 Jan 1918 to join 77th Siege Battery, France.'

Kindest regards,

Kim.962811482_GnrBeattieRGA1917.jpg.ce20f0c01fa0a601b44f803721babe00.jpg174265024_GnrM.BeattieRA.jpg.6e80684e6fcfc29276f6af7716ccbc3d.jpg

Kim,

 Always nice to have a photo with the medals etc, are there any details on the back of the dogtag. 

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Dear GWF1967,

Details on the back of the Beatie identification disk? No. It is completely blank.

Yes, my collection is almost exclusively "Officers Only" (from aristocrats to Politicals to commissioned from the Ranks - and from Cavy to Labour Corps). I gladly made an exception with wounded but survived Gnr Beattie, because of all of the "extra bits" mentioned. In short, details which one usually finds about an Officer, but in the case of an Other Rank, usually not...

The price was under fifty quid, moreover, which is peanuts in the medal-collecting world.

Kindest regards,

Kim.

 

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5 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

Details on the back of the Beatie identification disk? No. It is completely blank. -        

 

Thanks.

 I have a couple of issue discs with similarly incomplete information, and a couple with some of the information recorded in ink.

 

 Thanks. 

I have a couple of discs with similarly incomplete information, and a couple with some of the information added in ink. 

 

5 hours ago, Kimberley John Lindsay said:

The price was under fifty quid, moreover, which is peanuts in the medal-collecting world.

 

 

As a "peanut" collector -  right up my street. 

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Toby

 

Your RSM is..........

 

Royal Berkshire Regiment - A photocopy of a sepia photograph of Sergeant Major 973 Thomas John Forbes at Newbury Racecourse in 1914. He was part of the National reserve and was based at Newbury Racecourse from August to December 1914 guarding German Prisoners of War and internees.

 

He is in the Regimental museum Website at The Wardrobe [45018]

Go to COLLECTION , KEYWORD, NEWBURY and in that list you will find him

 

Cheers

Springer

 

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1 hour ago, springer said:

He is in the Regimental museum Website at The Wardrobe [45018]

Go to COLLECTION , KEYWORD, NEWBURY and in that list you will find him

 

Cheers

Springer

 

 Springer.

 

Thank you kindly for that I am in debt to you!  To put a name to a face is brilliant. There is another photo of him on there as well. 

 

Regards

Toby. 

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A few photos from the album of an unknown L.R.B. man who appears to have gone on to join the Middlesex Regiment and was possibly then commissioned in the RFC/RAF.

 

1728201745_LRBgroup.jpg.73452f383be0b7488a6e1b76899c52f6.jpg

 

1286346049_LRBsoldier.jpg.f181c97a5eb85fe8b2e923859ad90657.jpg

 

 

Newspaper.JPG

Edited by Drew-1918
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1161596734_Seatedex-LRB.thumb.JPG.392b9aa51045878cc76653dca6e62d0c.JPG

 

258652839_Twosoldierstanding.JPG.18769aafb4f27bf8d0b07fbd9ed1e9f7.JPG

 

66390854_Sunhelemt(Ex-LRB).JPG.e55bd48d30a0a1c1a0841051b092e68b.JPG

 

458068841_SeatedMiddlesex(Ex-LRB).JPG.4a6b8561a825cee3e9398f1d4a41ccdd.JPG

 

733004749_seatedsoldiers1.JPG.513c004b0d9238c0e48aa140bf13606a.JPG

Our man features in this one too, though the two Gents featured don’t seem to know it yet...

 

Car.thumb.JPG.36485d163d4a662f03d28929ca52976d.JPG

 

Egypt.JPG.1c806d1eb72bc6d9f5d02d85b59808e3.JPG

 

MIddlesex.thumb.JPG.bb34f7253b0599f9709b779897a98d07.JPG

 

 

Edited by Drew-1918
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RFC.png.5b68586fb6e6a64988d3d02b2f4fd766.png

 

1846571956_sameman.png.323f05564176244493b07f8e1cf9ddb6.png

Possibly the same man. 

 

954536487_RFC2.png.1d10406ca6b908733cb52318581f7b07.png

 

 

 

The cover of the album. A slightly strange choice perhaps, but seems to offer some clues as to locations...

114100817_Schoolbookcover.png.77dc720e65cb4a9468946c8cb98cae99.png

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Lastly, I think the following shot is of a later date, but am including here for reference.  (WW2 puttees?)

 

Unkown.png.329a2f349700c4581d9f3685fb419c78.png

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The vehicle in post #6242 looks like an armoured Rolls Royce with the turret removed, could it be from one of the Armoured Motor Battery units?

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Yes post #6246 is WW2 era with most of the military wearing Battle Dress.  Puttees continued in use for some units until 37 pattern web equipment was issued.

 

I agree that the same man appears in the RAF group (Squadron?) photo, wearing pilot’s wings.  He has clearly not yet transferred across to the permanent RAF list as he still wears army uniform and Sam Browne belt. At left rear can be seen some RAF officers in their new uniform with self cloth waist belt.

Edited by FROGSMILE
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5 hours ago, Drew-1918 said:

Lastly, I think the following shot is of a later date, but am including here for reference.  (WW2 puttees?)

 

 

This photo was taken in Vivary park Taunton.  The building behind is the barracks to the SLI in Mount Street, Taunton.

 

Edited by max7474
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Can anyone identify the collar badges on this chap please?

Scan_20190130 (3).jpg

Scan_20190130 (5).jpg

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