Double Badged Gunner

[Postwarden]

Wearing blue patrols this Lance Sergeant - presumed to be Royal Artillery from his Layer trade badge - wears two skill-at-arms badges in the position specified for instructors' badges, that of a Layer surmounted by the LG of an LMG marksman. Is this correct or is the fact that they are worn on blue patrols a personal whim?

The Sam Browne type belt is also of interest and I have seen these worn in other photos. Do they have a particular significance?

Jon

[54Bty]

Just a thought: Possibly wearing the LG badge because he is a 'Limber Gunner', and to his mind L = Layer and LG = Limber Gunner, and no one told him any difference.

I have seen images of the Sgts shoulder strap and waist belt being worn in a Mountain Battery to carry the Sword.

Marc

[grumpy]

First thought: is this a Walt?

Badges on right sleeve are either trade or appointment, and these badges make him a Layer [appointment] or Layer Instructor, and LG instructor [appointment]. Some doubts in my mind.
One rarely sees L badges on sergeants or lance-sergeants, and I find the idea of Lewis or LMGs on the battery unusual to say the least.

However, never say never ..............

[Postwarden]

Interesting comments. Could he be from a searchlight unit some of which were I believe issued with Lewis Guns for local defence?

Just thinking out loud.

Jon

[grumpy]

can the RA experts among us attempt to date this portrait please?

[MH331]

His waist belt is part of the 1903 pattern equipment worn well into WW2 and I think beyond to which he has added an officers sam browne cross strap. Not scientific but the picture has a late 1930s feel about it?

[Toby Purcell]

I think 1930s too, the field service cap became popular again then. He should not be wearing both L and LG above rank, which makes me think he might be a Territorial. Searchlights does seem a possibility. I agree also that the belt is from 1903 bandolier equipment and has been highly polished for parade use. There was a cross belt (aka 'brace') made and issued for wear with pistols that had a sliding loop for fitting to the belt, as there were no brass rings to which it could be secured. Many units with mounted traditions permitted all their SNCOs to wear belts with such a brace in India, where they were widely issued from the Government factory for leather goods at Cawnpore. The distinctions of staff sergeants were much more fiercely guarded and retained there, than at home.

[Alan O]

The coloured FSC was revived in the late 1930s so it is likely to be at the end of the decade.

[manchesters]

Originally Posted by Toby Purcell

I think 1930s too, the field service cap became popular again then. He should not be wearing both L and LG above rank, which makes me think he might be a Territorial. Searchlights does seem a possibility. I agree also that the belt is from 1903 bandolier equipment and has been highly polished for parade use. There was a cross belt (aka 'brace') made and issued for wear with pistols that had a sliding loop for fitting to the belt, as there were no brass rings to which it could be secured. Many units with mounted traditions permitted all their SNCOs to wear belts with such a brace in India, where they were widely issued from the Government factory for leather goods at Cawnpore. The distinctions of staff sergeants were much more fiercely guarded and retained there, than at home.

He cant be a Territorial in the 1930's (pre War) AND be in India though.

reagrds

[Toby Purcell]

Originally Posted by manchesters

He cant be a Territorial in the 1930's (pre War) AND be in India though.

reagrds

I did not mean to imply that he was in India. They are just two lines of thought. The pistol supporting brace (often used by machine gunners) was occasionally seen on the home establishment, but less often than in India, where they were slower to adopt web equipment (partly because of large stocks of leather in store and its relative cheapness there). Nonetheless I believe the photo to be at ‘home’. I doubt very much that he is a regular.

[grumpy]

And of course he is not an SNCO as a lance-sergeant [no gun badge above chevrons].