A Gentleman in Uniform

Bay Horse

Bay Horse

Can be a bit of a dark horse
Going through my father's papers a couple of days ago I came across this photograph - the only photograph in the bundle.

1.%20Photo%20in%20dads%20papers.%20Gentleman%20unknown_zpssobnfdgd.jpg


Would anyone be able to offer any information on the uniform and an approximate date please?

I can't think who this gentleman might be.
 
Just saw him in the random images. A very pleasant looking young man.:)

Not up to looking anymore, but found this website they may show up something - WW1 & WW2. Good Luck.

Code: 
http://www.paddelaters.com/wwII-wwii-british-army.php
 
Not only am I no expert, I'm not even an informed amateur on WW2 uniforms LOL.

However the hat (especially with the two buttons) plus the shape of the breast pocket flaps definitely looks RAF to me.
 
It looks like a standard WW2 British Army Field Service cap (often called a forage cap). You can just see the regimental/corps badge on the side of the cap but I can't see any other clues about the uniform. I've a feeling it's probably not an RAF cap as the badge seems too small.

A wild guess here (which doesn't help you!) - it really does look like someone who's just been issued with a new uniform and so has probably only just joined up. I think any service man with more experience would have tied a better knot and worn the tie more presentably!!
 
No expert here either! But this is part of a WW2 RAF 'Signallers' Service Dress Tunic - besides the badge it look similar to me.

ww2.JPG


 
Flook said:
A wild guess here (which doesn't help you!) - it really does look like someone who's just been issued with a new uniform and so has probably only just joined up. I think any service man with more experience would have tied a better knot and worn the tie more presentably!!
Click to expand...

Wild guesses are good. They are all food for thought! The uniform is nothing like my Dad's regiments', so that, to me, rules out someone he served with overseas. However, the photograph was important enough to him to be locked away with his papers.

The jawline of the individual is very much like my father's. However, he only had one brother, and to my knowledge he didn't join up. Could he have joined up but not actually served...? Might that be possible? It would explain the new uniform.
 
ScreenHunter_02 May. 22 15.52.gif For comparison, the other "chap" is Sergeant Jack Liddell. He was just short of his 19th birthday when he was killed on the Dam Busters raid. The insignia is that of an Airgunner, he was tail end Charley on the raid.
 
I have a WW2 photo of my dad. He was in the army for a short while. Definitely looks like army to me - possibly a new recruit. - Like my dad though I can't see the badge. Is the hat called a glengarry?
 
Yep! RAF. Uncle in similar RAAF uniform in WW2 here in Oz. It's the hat that gives it away at first glance.
Maybe it was taken just as he got his uniform before going anywhere.
 
You see, this was a bit of a square peg in a round hole - it simply didn't fit.

Once I was 99.9% sure it was a RAF uniform, I made copies of the photograph and sent them out all around the family. Then I received a message from my uncle's wife saying, yes, she recognised him.

How it came to be with my father's army discharge forms is still a bit of a mystery.
 
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