Help with serviceman

[scotch]

Hi All

I am currently attempting to assist my sister-in-law find information on her grandfather, Samuel Metcalfe. She believes he was from Lancashire and has given me copies of two photos of him in uniform. I'm unsure about the badges and uniform. She would like to know what unit he served with, where he served and what medals he received. Thanks in advance.

Nick

[scotch]

Noted I've posted this in wrong place, meant to be in General Topics, British Military Insignia. Can I get some help from admin to move please.

Thanks Nick

[gb64]

Originally Posted by scotch

Hi All

I am currently attempting to assist my sister-in-law find information on her grandfather, Samuel Metcalfe. She believes he was from Lancashire and has given me copies of two photos of him in uniform. I'm unsure about the badges and uniform. She would like to know what unit he served with, where he served and what medals he received. Thanks in advance.

Nick

Hello Nick, I’d say cap badge is the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, post WW11 I think by the uniform?? hopefully someone can find some information on him for you.

Gerard

[Alan O]

RAOC does seem likely.

[cbuehler]

I would agree with the above evaluations.

CB

[bess55]

In the second photograph - the beret does not appear to be the standard dark blue colour or is it me?

[Holyboy]

I’d say ROAC too

[grumpy]

Originally Posted by Holyboy

I’d say ROAC too

It is not ROAC !

[grumpy]

My first thought, given the pale beret, was RAF officer badge ........... there is no collateral for that thought so I abandon it.

RAOC [not ROAC] and the beret is faded/ dusty .............

[Holyboy]

Royal Orange Apple Core all day long imoo but I don’t collect badges so not sure. I’m sure others on here will know the slider dimensions done to mmm though and the inside leg of the bloke that brazed the hairpin on with lug solder before it was anodised for wear in NI by Bent and Palmers. I’ve got one of these badges if anybody wants to make a reasonable offer on it because like I say I don’t collect badgers.

[Mike_2817]

I would also say RAOC Bi-Metal 1918 or 1947 Pattern (cannot say for sure due to size) wearing Khaki Battle Dress Trousers and Shirt KF with 37 Pattern Belt. Beret 'Dark Blue' best shown in first photo.

I am ex RAOC and will republish the first photo in the RAOC Forum to see if I can ID it.


[Top 2 wide badges in image below]

[Holyboy]

Well done Mike good info

[Mike_2817]

Interesting point to note, he is wearing different shirts in each photo.

The first picture is I think is the 1952 issue with pleated pockets
Second picture is of the 1964 version with stiffened collar

https://hmvf.co.uk/topic/24658-briti...kfquot-shirts/

So I think second picture is from the mid 1960's onwards as the Wide RAOC badge was still being issued till the mid to late 60's to training units

[Badger306]

Originally Posted by bess55

In the second photograph - the beret does not appear to be the standard dark blue colour or is it me?

Originally Posted by grumpy

My first thought, given the pale beret, was RAF officer badge ........... there is no collateral for that thought so I abandon it.

RAOC [not ROAC] and the beret is faded/ dusty .............

As an observation on the beret colour, there's also the potential problem with how dark blue translates in a black and white photo. While not any any way, shape or form a photography expert, I do know that colours don't always translate well to greyscale. The photo of Lt. Baines illustrates my point. The Canadian Cyclist battle patch going clockwise from the bottom is red, dark blue and french grey. The dark blue greyscale in the Cyclist photo is similar to the beret.