Hertfordshire Yeomanry,Normandy,1944.
 

© IWM (H 39209)
Wounded British troops, evacuated from the Normandy beaches, now back in Britain, 7 June 1944.The man on the right seems to be Herts Yeo.and wearing a black beret....why.

http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/44/773...at=photographs


World War II
During World War II there were three regiments associated with the Hertfordshire Yeomanry: the pre-war 86th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment RA (TA) and its 2nd Line unit, the 135th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment RA (TA). 79th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment was also formed in 1939.

86th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
The 86th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was mobilised in September 1939, its three batteries were the;

341 (St Albans) Battery
342 (Hertford) Battery
462 Battery

In 1940, during World War II, the regiment was equipped with 8 x 4.5 inch Howitzers & 4 x 18/25 pounder guns, it remained in the United Kingdom until 1944 being attached to various divisions; The 54th (East Anglian) Infantry Division, 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division and the 42nd Armoured Division. During this time it used a number of new self-propelled artillery vehicles Bishop, Priest and the Sexton self-propelled guns.

In 1944 it was attached to the British Second Army, as part of the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, and participated in the following battles; Normandy, Antwerp, Nijmegen, Ardennes, Rhine Crossing, Bremen.

135th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery.
The 135th (East Anglian) (Herts Yeo) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery was formed in September 1939 it consisted of three batteries, the;

344 (Hitchin) Battery
336 (Northampton) Battery
499 Battery

The Regiment remained in the United Kingdom until 1941 when it was sent to India and joined the 18th (East Anglian) Infantry Division and deployed to Fortress Singapore it was still serving with the 18th Division when Singapore was captured by the Japanese.

It might be a commando green beret?

Rgds, thomas.

86 Fd Regt RA(TA) equipped with SP Guns at that period affected the wearing of the eminently practical black beret. Being Territorial Army, this was probably a less than fully official practice, but I doubt if HQ 50 (N) Inf Div raised any objections. Mike

Thank you Mike.*
Jo




*Now where is that d****** thank you icon/button :mad:

And the Essex Yeomanry also did the same while part of 42nd Armd.