Photo of Combined Ops Artillery/Navy Forward Observation Unit

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by tonyb

"Looks too early to be 29 commando, 148 was in 95 commando pre 1976.
Wooden stocked SLRs and old stlye lance bombardier tapes."
Quote from work colleague ex 29 Commando.
Tony.

From Commando Veterans :

On the 1st May 1971 it was again redesignated as 95th Commando Forward Observer Unit RA and joined with 29 Commando Regiment RA.

,

[tonyb]

Thanks Mike.
Tony.

[bess55]

That sounds a much more accurate Tony

[Restrikes-ok]

[QUOTE=3dg;589484]Thanks Jon and David,
Most odd, a trade badge on the beret, I wonder if this was common practice?

The RN......... Expect odd things

[Mike Jackson]

The officer is the then Capt Phil Green RA. In 1964 he was a Major in 95 Cdo Lt Regt RA so this image would have been c 1963 and he will have been serving in 95 AO Regt RA - hence the Combined Operations signs being worn. In January 1964 the two Regiments - 29 Cdo Lt Regt RA and 95 AO Regt RA merged momentarily in order to form two identical Cdo Lt Regts. 8 (Alma 1854) Cdo Lt Bty left 29 Cdo Lt Regt RA and was replaced by 20 A0 Bty from 95 AO Regt RA.
At the same time 7 (Sphinx) Battery RA came from suspended animation and formed the senior Battery in 95 Cdo Lt Regt RA. So the Batteries were: 29 Regt: 79 (Kirkee) Bty, 145 (Maiwand) Bty and 20 AO Bty. 95 Regt: 7 (Sphinx) Bty, 8 (Alma 1854) Bty and 148 (Meiktila) AO Bty. I served in 95 Cdo Regt RA from Jan 64 - Nov 67. Both Regts served in Plymouth, Singapore, Sarawak and Hong Kong in that period.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by Mike Jackson

The officer is the then Capt Phil Green RA. In 1964 he was a Major in 95 Cdo Lt Regt RA so this image would have been c 1963 and he will have been serving in 95 AO Regt RA - hence the Combined Operations signs being worn. In January 1964 the two Regiments - 29 Cdo Lt Regt RA and 95 AO Regt RA merged momentarily in order to form two identical Cdo Lt Regts. 8 (Alma 1854) Cdo Lt Bty left 29 Cdo Lt Regt RA and was replaced by 20 A0 Bty from 95 AO Regt RA.
At the same time 7 (Sphinx) Battery RA came from suspended animation and formed the senior Battery in 95 Cdo Lt Regt RA. So the Batteries were: 29 Regt: 79 (Kirkee) Bty, 145 (Maiwand) Bty and 20 AO Bty. 95 Regt: 7 (Sphinx) Bty, 8 (Alma 1854) Bty and 148 (Meiktila) AO Bty. I served in 95 Cdo Regt RA from Jan 64 - Nov 67. Both Regts served in Plymouth, Singapore, Sarawak and Hong Kong in that period.

Excellent info thanks Mike

[Mike Jackson]

In Jan 64 whilst on a RA Junior officers' Driving and Maintenance Course at Bovington I saw a group of 3 or 4 members of what I learned was 95 AO Regt RA unusually dressed - dark blue berets, RAC style black denim tank suits, black leather (?) brassards on right arm bearing Combined Operations formation sign.
I believe a detachment of 20 AO Bty was located at Bovington, but I have no idea why (the Regimental HQ was in Poole). The outfits being worn seemed to add weight to the suggestion that in the British Army, uniform regulations are a basis for negotiation!

[1664]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen combined ops badges worn on DPM. Units in 3 Cdo Bde wear a dagger, but only on DPM after the 1990s. I think this might be a film rather than actual service.

[grey_green_acorn]

Originally Posted by 1664

I don’t think I’ve ever seen combined ops badges worn on DPM. Units in 3 Cdo Bde wear a dagger, but only on DPM after the 1990s. I think this might be a film rather than actual service.

Information from previous posts suggests the picture, while probably posed, dates from c1963 and shows Captain Phil Green of 95 Amphibious Observation Regiment Royal Artillery. The individuals in the party are all wearing 1959 Pattern Denison Smocks (not dpm) with parachute wings and the combined operations formation sign on both arms.

Tim

[Colin S]

148 Battery of 29 Commando Regt RA did wear Combined Ops badges on both sleeves of DPM para smocks, in square shape in the 1980s and in round shape after that. They still wear round Combined Ops badges on MTP clothing now.

[James K]

I think the officer might be Major Thergood who went onto command the NGS Troop of 289 Cdo Bty (V) based at RM Poole, alongside 148 Bty from 1981 onward