EastSurrey Posted 11 February , 2018 Share Posted 11 February , 2018 I apologise for the poor quality of the image, but here is a YMCA postcard of British troops leaving farm billets. I have reason to believe it may be 9th East Surrey, 72nd Brigade, 24th Division, as a similar card was one of a handful, all relating to his service, I found in the collection of the battalion's Major (later Lt. Col.) Clark at Surrey History Centre. and there may well be the Division's St. Andrew's cross on upper arms . I suspect it's battalion HQ on the move, with a French interpreter, a disproportionately large number of officers( one or two riding and two walking) and only a limited amount of transport in sight. No credit is given for the original photograph, so I don't know its source. Has anyone come across the original source photograph, or can they comment on what the picture shows? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JulianR Posted 11 February , 2018 Share Posted 11 February , 2018 I suspect that it might be the Regimental Aid Post moving. Two men in the foreground are carrying a stretcher, followed by an officer on foot, to the right there is a mounted officer, and then the others behind him appear to be ORs, their uniform is different and wear different webbing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDWARD1 Posted 11 February , 2018 Share Posted 11 February , 2018 Alamy stock photos has this titled British Troops, Maricourt,1916 Eddie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastSurrey Posted 11 February , 2018 Author Share Posted 11 February , 2018 Thank you all. The battalion was in the Maricourt area in early August 1916, but not in billets, moving from tents into dugouts, on 10 August, according to Pirie, the R.M.O., so my identification may be mistaken. Eddie- is it possible to buy a copy of the original photo? Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EDWARD1 Posted 11 February , 2018 Share Posted 11 February , 2018 It is. Right click on your image, drop down box, search google for image. Alamy web site http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-british-troops-maricourt-1916-65979535.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 16 February , 2018 Share Posted 16 February , 2018 Are the two soldiers on the left French, they look to be wearing different uniforms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastSurrey Posted 16 February , 2018 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2018 Yes, I think so. One was often attached to a British unit as an interpreter. Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 16 February , 2018 Share Posted 16 February , 2018 Must admit I hadn’t considered the role of interpreter, thanks. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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