British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > Common Forums > It's a Mystery -Unknown Insignia for Identification

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-10-22, 09:22 AM
Rosemary Rosemary is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2022
Posts: 1
Question Help us identify this WW2 Bletchley Park uniform

Hello,

I am trying to identify any of the insignia appearing on the following uniform. There is some evidence that this woman, our grandmother, had spent time at Bletchley Park during the 1940s but it is not confirmed. I have not been able to match the feathered hat or insignia with any of the WREN uniforms that I have found so far.

If anybody has any ideas relating to the hat, chest, or shoulder insignia (including the text appearing on either shoulder) we would be so appreciative.

The image can be found in the National Portrait Gallery:
https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/s...role=sit&rNo=1


Thank you in advance for your suggestions. Any and all ideas are welcome!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-10-22, 11:21 AM
Alan O's Avatar
Alan O Alan O is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 12,730
Default

Rosemary

It's after WW2 so it may not be military at all. - not one I recognise. St Johns ambulance or similar organisation might be a contender. It's not a Royal Navy or Regular Army uniform.


The shoulder title does start with 'St John..'

Alan
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-10-22, 11:22 AM
Sonofacqms's Avatar
Sonofacqms Sonofacqms is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,786
Question Hat badge

The hat badge looks from what I can see is a St John Ambulance Brigade badge.

Rob

Last edited by Sonofacqms; 05-10-22 at 01:19 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-10-22, 11:51 AM
gb64's Avatar
gb64 gb64 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 1,347
Default

St John’s Ambulance, just make out the shoulder title.

Gerard
__________________
Always interested in buying cap badges to the Middlesex Regt-Hertfordshire Regt-The Rifle Brigade
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-10-22, 12:17 PM
grey_green_acorn's Avatar
grey_green_acorn grey_green_acorn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 5,821
Default

To be pedantic it is St John Ambulance NOT St John’s

Tim
__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm"
"Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!"
"Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-10-22, 12:28 PM
magpie's Avatar
magpie magpie is offline
Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Hertfordshire
Posts: 2,026
Default

She's wearing the St John badge on her hat.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-10-22, 12:38 PM
gb64's Avatar
gb64 gb64 is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Bedfordshire
Posts: 1,347
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn View Post
To be pedantic it is St John Ambulance NOT St John’s

Tim


Gerard
__________________
Always interested in buying cap badges to the Middlesex Regt-Hertfordshire Regt-The Rifle Brigade
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-10-22, 12:45 PM
mike_vee's Avatar
mike_vee mike_vee is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Uxbridge
Posts: 4,892
Default

Shoulder title is "St.John" and cap badge is St.John Ambulance.

Prior's Field School magazine No.56 (December 1945) notes :

Quote:
Rosemary Gorell Barnes is a Writer in the W.R.N.S., and is working in the Drafting Office in Portsmouth.

.
__________________
British Legion/Royal British Legion , Poppy/Remembrance/Commemorative.

Poppy and British Legion Wanted
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-10-22, 06:57 PM
grey_green_acorn's Avatar
grey_green_acorn grey_green_acorn is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Kent, UK
Posts: 5,821
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_vee View Post
Shoulder title is "St.John" and cap badge is St.John Ambulance.

Prior's Field School magazine No.56 (December 1945) notes :



Rosemary Gorell Barnes is a Writer in the W.R.N.S., and is working in the Drafting Office in Portsmouth.

.
That is interesting and suggests that the “Drafting Office Portsmouth” was the location cover story for the deployment of the many WRNS personnel to Bletchley Park.

Tim
__________________
"Manui dat cognitio vires - Knowledge gives strength to the arm"
"Better to know it but not need it than to need it and not know it!"
"Have more than thou showest, speak less than thou knowest."
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-10-22, 06:46 AM
mike_vee's Avatar
mike_vee mike_vee is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Uxbridge
Posts: 4,892
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn View Post
That is interesting and suggests that the “Drafting Office Portsmouth” was the location cover story for the deployment of the many WRNS personnel to Bletchley Park.

Tim
I'm sure , at the time , personnel would "officially" have been employed/based at other units.

Bletchley Park has a "roll of honour" , which although not complete has the names of those who worked there or at any of their 'outstations'.

Rosemary Gorell Barnes is not listed (checked married name) but that could have been because of her connections. Her father was Ronald Barnes, 3rd Baron Gorell.

.
__________________
British Legion/Royal British Legion , Poppy/Remembrance/Commemorative.

Poppy and British Legion Wanted
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 06-10-22, 08:19 AM
William's Avatar
William William is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 587
Default

Looks like UK WW2 Defence Medal on left. Not sure what the other one might be.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 01:45 AM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.