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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: ian__davies on Saturday 07 February 15 13:16 GMT (UK)

Title: Uniform Identification
Post by: ian__davies on Saturday 07 February 15 13:16 GMT (UK)

Hi,

I've been trying to trace my Great Grandfather, Frederick Henry Craddock.  He is believed to have been part of the Merchant Navy.  I have been unable to locate any military record for him however.

I have two photo's of him in uniform, this is the first.  It is date stamped on the back 24 Aug 19xx

The photographer print mark is Jerome

Any assistance greatly received.

Thanks

Ian

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: Drew5233 on Saturday 07 February 15 18:34 GMT (UK)

Royal Engineers

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: seaweed on Saturday 07 February 15 19:31 GMT (UK)

Agree Royal Engineers.
This doesn't preclude him from being MN at sometime.
Can you give us a little more detail. Date and place of birth?

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: althos on Sunday 08 February 15 00:19 GMT (UK)

RE shoulder title confirms cap badge but he also has Royal Artillery collar badges so RE attached to RA

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: Drew5233 on Sunday 08 February 15 00:25 GMT (UK)

RE and RA both wore the 'flaming bombardier' as collar dogs. One had/has more flames than the other. I can't remember how many or who had more off the top of my head. The RE wore them later in the war (WW2) in their berets and RE Officers still wear them today.

It's pre WW2 uniform, certainly pre 1940 so looking at his age I'm wondering if he's wearing his uniform after he left the RE.

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: ian__davies on Sunday 08 February 15 01:00 GMT (UK)

Thanks for the help.

Frederick was believed to be born about 1896 according to his marriage certificate.  I've been unable to confirm/find his birth entry in the BDM.  Would have made him around 50 in this photo if it was during the second world war?

We know from the same document he was a Painter/Decorator in 1925, St Pancras.

I have attached another picture of him in a different uniform dated 1941.  I don't have access to the original so the quality is poor.

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: Drew5233 on Sunday 08 February 15 13:03 GMT (UK)

Ironically that is a Royal Artillery cap badge in the second picture.

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: deebel on Sunday 08 February 15 18:15 GMT (UK)

My father was in REME in WW2 but his unit/company/section? was permanently attached to 75th A/Tank Rgt. Royal Artillery.

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: scrimnet on Sunday 08 February 15 18:52 GMT (UK)

Quote from: deebel on Sunday 08 February 15 18:15 GMT (UK)

My father was in REME in WW2 but his unit/company/section? was permanently attached to 75th A/Tank Rgt. Royal Artillery.

But he would retain his original cap badge, as they do now...

Title: Re: Uniform Identification
Post by: ian__davies on Saturday 07 March 15 13:32 GMT (UK)

Thanks all, I've just found his Attestation.  It has him with the 79 A.A transfering to the R.E  in March 41.

A quick google gave me this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/38th_Light_Anti-Aircraft_Brigade_%28United_Kingdom%29, which shows the close links between Artillary and Engineers around this time.

Many thanks!