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General => Armed Forces => World War Two => Topic started by: Tarnwater on Saturday 19 April 25 17:50 BST (UK)

Title: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: Tarnwater on Saturday 19 April 25 17:50 BST (UK)
These is a relations of mine, it could be Arthur Pritchard b. 1904 or his older brother Charles Henry b. 1896. Charles Henry did serve in the British Army in WWI, by giving a false date of birth, he went to Australia in 1924 and joined the Australian Army in WWII, by giving a false date of birth. Arthur went to Australia in 1927 and served in the Australian Army in WWII, first in Palestine then Papua New Guinea. The first picture is the one I would like to identify, the second is Charles Henry, and the third is Arthur.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: ShaunJ on Saturday 19 April 25 17:59 BST (UK)
Probably Arthur. It's an early 1940s photo.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: tonepad on Sunday 20 April 25 06:23 BST (UK)
The hair style in the top photo looks more like Charles Henry. Also, Charles Henry has a more prominent chin.


Tony
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: Tarnwater on Sunday 20 April 25 09:19 BST (UK)
Charles Henry Pritchard did come back to the UK in October 1940, as part of the Australian Army. He came home to North Wales, but was dressed in a different uniform.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: ShaunJ on Sunday 20 April 25 10:01 BST (UK)
The soldier in the first picture is wearing British army battledress, which wasn't adopted by Australia until after WW2.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: alan o on Sunday 20 April 25 11:44 BST (UK)
 It is 1940 Battledress with a side cap and on his sleeve and Arms & Service strip which were introduced in 1941. The side cap was phased out by 1943/44.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: alan o on Sunday 20 April 25 11:46 BST (UK)
The cap badge is a match for the Royal Welch Fusiliers.  It is obscured but probably that one.

The AOS strip is likely to be plain red for infantry.
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: Nanna52 on Sunday 20 April 25 13:40 BST (UK)
Arthur Pritchard, born 12 Feb 1904, in Conway, North Wales served with the 2/1 Pioneer battalion.

Charles Pritchard, born 27 February,1907, in Conway, North Wales, served with Royal Australian Engineers.  He was discharged in 1943.

Both enlisted in Western Australia.

You may find more at:
https://www.naa.gov.au/
Title: Re: Help with the uniform and possible regiment.
Post by: alan o on Sunday 20 April 25 15:44 BST (UK)
Well that is a British uniform and he is probably a British infantryman so the answer seems to be that it is neither of the brothers mentioned.