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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 11:41 BST (UK)

Title: Salvation Army?
Post by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 11:41 BST (UK)
I have this picture from my nan's collection, and all of her pictures had some reference to the family, so I am supposing an ancestor is in this one. Perhaps the Salvation Army C1930? My nan was in the SA, and a staunch supporter even when she came to Australia.
Any expert information appreciated.
This is a regular photo, not a postcard, sadly with no notes or references.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 07 July 12 12:11 BST (UK)
They have what looks suspiciously like the Staffordshire Knot on their breast pockets.
Territorial Army perhaps.

jim
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 12:16 BST (UK)
Sorry Jim, but I have no idea what you mean. Homeland? What year do you think it might be. I thought with what appears to be a priest in the picture, there may have been some religious relevance.
Thanks
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: sheena58 on Saturday 07 July 12 13:31 BST (UK)
Hi,
I can't give you any pointers as to what the uniform is, but it's definitely not Salvation Army. I would have thought it unlikely they would be found posing with the vicar, too.
I can't help with location either, but if you look at the windows behind the group they are taped up in the style you would expect to see during WWII in anticipation of bombing raids, so I would say it's likely to date from this era.
Having looked closely at the faces, I wonder if they might even be the local Home Guard? Some look a bit old to still be regular soldiers.
Hope that helps, if only by narrowing things down slightly!
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 13:35 BST (UK)
Yes, I noticed that too, and thought around 1940ish.
At least I can dismiss The SA, now to find out who in the family is in the picture.
Thankyou
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: lyn22 on Saturday 07 July 12 13:39 BST (UK)
Not the Salvation Army I have a photo of my Nan in Salvation Army uniform in Melbourne in about the 1930 s take care Lyn
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 13:41 BST (UK)
Rather a slap dash bunch aren't they!!! A couple of women, men of all ages, and the obligatory "gentle"man in the front row! I was working on someone related through my grandmother, but I do see a resemblance to a great uncle in there, so will follow that path and see if anyone knows of anyone serving in this group.
What would they have been referred to as? Homeland? Don't think Dad's Army would apply!!! LOL
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: PrueM on Saturday 07 July 12 13:43 BST (UK)
I've moved this topic to the Armed Forces board :)
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 07 July 12 14:02 BST (UK)
I though may be Home Guard but I don't think they wore berets.The ARP did.

jim
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: wksatsrk on Saturday 07 July 12 14:07 BST (UK)
What is the ARP?
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 07 July 12 14:08 BST (UK)
They are ARP,I've just seen another photo with the same insignia which says CD (Civil Defence)

jim
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: sheena58 on Saturday 07 July 12 14:10 BST (UK)
Yes, that makes sense. I thought the uniforms looked dark!
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 07 July 12 14:18 BST (UK)
Being in the Civil Defence involved many other tasks rather than just air raid patrol.
They were volunteers but got paid £3 a week I believe.

jim
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: t mo on Saturday 07 July 12 17:56 BST (UK)
do a google search for civil defence ww2 and loads of sites will tell you all about them
regards
trevor
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: Rena on Saturday 07 July 12 18:27 BST (UK)
Would I be right in thinking the air raid wardens would have a whistle on the end of their lanyards?

I've never seen the Homeguard in (french) berets or wearing white lanyards over their shoulders. 
They wore the same style headgear caps worn by the regular army at that time.
Here's a link to a homeguard photo which shows the standard uniform and there's plenty more images and links on rootschat.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,429986.10.html

Good luck with your search.
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: nanny jan on Saturday 07 July 12 19:17 BST (UK)
Hi,

Found this via google; there are several images :

ARP Wardens


http://www.wiltshireheritage.org.uk/galleries/?Action=4&obID=289&prevID=&q=5



Nanny Jan
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: jim1 on Saturday 07 July 12 20:30 BST (UK)
Homeguard & Civil Defence were 2 completely different outfits.Don't confuse the poster.

jim
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: nanny jan on Saturday 07 July 12 21:52 BST (UK)
Homeguard & Civil Defence were 2 completely different outfits.Don't confuse the poster.

jim

Oops....apologies;  I thought the photo had been identified as ARP wardens...........


Nanny Jan
Title: Re: Salvation Army?
Post by: Rena on Saturday 07 July 12 22:36 BST (UK)
Homeguard & Civil Defence were 2 completely different outfits.Don't confuse the poster.

jim

Oops....apologies;  I thought the photo had been identified as ARP wardens...........

Nanny Jan

Don't worry Jan, everyone's brain is wired up differently and  it's always best to show images of all the descriptive options - there's a third option too - there are those who can only remember and describe things by waving their arms about  ;D

I lived in Yorkshire during WWII and it was the "Air Raid Warden" who patrolled the streets during "black out" in the hours of darkness looking to see if anyone's curtains were not drawn properly and thus letting out chinks of light into the street.  We once had a knock on the door from a warden telling us our curtains weren't closed properly.