navy photo

[gig]

hi all im trying to identify this sailor his picture was keptin a wallet by my late grandad according to my granma he was my grandfathers best friend during the war,dont know if before .
my grandad was in the royal marines the last  places he served was madras rangoon singapore padang parang columbo then blighty on thier way home they were on different ships the ship with the sailor was sunk and he was killed this was i think towards the end of the war , does the badge on his arm give any clues
any help, thank

[RuthieB]

I can tell you that he is a leading hand (the star tells me that) but I can't quite see enough of the rest of the badge to tell you his specialisation. However, knowing the Rotschat guys, someone will give you more info


RuthieB

[gig]

thanks ruthie whats a leading hand 

[RuthieB]

Next step up from an Able Bodied Seaman (AB). Difficult to give an army rank equivalent but lance corporal probably fits best. Next step would be Petty Officer.

RuthieB

[harribobs]

 looks like flags to me ( but i'm guessing) signaller?

[Salty]

Sorry, I have to disagree with RuthieB.

The star means that he had graduated, passed his exams ect for third class in whatever branch he was in. If there was a star under the badge, then he would be second class.
So that means he could have been an Able Seaman or a Leading Hand (Killick). Without a hook on his left arm it is very difficult to say what rank he is.

I cannot see enough of the badge to have a clue what branch he was in, sorry.

Salty

[Salty]

Having said that, it could be a flag, so he could have been a Signalman (Flag bunting).

Salty

[harribobs]

Without a hook on his left arm it is very difficult to say what rank he is.
Salty

without a hook?    his rank would be a pirate then?

(just kidding )

[Salty]

without a hook?    his rank would be a pirate then?


Okay then an Anchor 

In actual fact he could be anything from an Ordinary Seaman up to a Leading Hand, he looks young enough to have been an Ordinary Seaman.

Salty