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  #1  
Old 12-09-22, 04:02 PM
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Default Interesting Group

Can anyone suggest what might have brought those in the photo together as they come from various regiments?

The officer in the centre comes from the Royal West Kents and wears WW1 medal ribbons. The Scottish officer to his left has RAF pilot's wings, that to his right a black beret and the badge of the Westminster Dragoons. The standing soldier second from the right wears a gun cap badge.

The presence of a GS cap and just visible arm titles suggests a date around 1943.

Thoughts welcome.

Jon
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Unidentified group.jpg (52.2 KB, 206 views)
File Type: jpg Unidentified group RWK offr.jpg (38.4 KB, 84 views)
File Type: jpg Unidentified group Scot offr with RAF wings.jpg (46.4 KB, 87 views)
File Type: jpg Unidentified group West Dgns offr.jpg (40.6 KB, 85 views)
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Old 02-10-22, 11:05 AM
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POW's perhaps?
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Old 02-10-22, 11:31 AM
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Jon,
I suggest they are a small group of soldiers and NCOs with three ‘Directing Staff’ officers. They are perhaps participating in a War Office Selection Board (WOSB).

Tim
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Old 02-10-22, 12:53 PM
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Tim makes a good suggestion.
However, my first thought on seeing the photo was that it was a small HQ staff of some sort, with 3 staff officers, an SNCO Sgt possibly Chief Clerk and five others in support roles, clerks, drivers ?
Steve
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Old 10-11-22, 06:35 AM
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Investigation team - all pre war police force (COMPLETE GUESS )
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Old 10-11-22, 08:25 AM
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Cadre for a local Home Guard Unit ?
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Old 16-11-22, 06:13 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ex Supt Clk RAOC View Post
Tim makes a good suggestion.
However, my first thought on seeing the photo was that it was a small HQ staff of some sort, with 3 staff officers, an SNCO Sgt possibly Chief Clerk and five others in support roles, clerks, drivers ?
Steve
Yes, I agree they do have the look of a Brigade HQ Staff, less the Commander. Ergo Brigade Major, Staff Captain, Commanders aide, chief clerk, clerks and drivers. Can’t be positive of course, but the manning is about right.
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Old 17-11-22, 09:26 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grey_green_acorn View Post
Jon,
I suggest they are a small group of soldiers and NCOs with three ‘Directing Staff’ officers. They are perhaps participating in a War Office Selection Board (WOSB).

Tim
WOSB seems plausible. Can anyone make any sense out of the slivers of formation signs worn by the SNCOs in the front row?
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Old 17-11-22, 11:55 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Jackson View Post
WOSB seems plausible. Can anyone make any sense out of the slivers of formation signs worn by the SNCOs in the front row?
The Scottish officer’s bonnet badge appears to be either Gordon or Cameron Highlanders to my eyes. I can’t discern the formation signs, but the other ranks in the rear row have a mixture of 1937 and 1941 (simplified) battle dress blouses, which helps with a time window. I’m not 100% positive what the make up of a WOSB was, but wouldn’t have thought it’d require so many other ranks, whereas the number present is close to the established strength of an infantry brigade HQ. I imagine that such staffs would have more impetus to have their photo taken than a WOSB too. Unfortunately I guess we’ll never know for sure as the evidence is too thin.
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