Is this the uniform of an officer?

[scrimnet]

In the book I have, he was referred to as Colonel and yet I understood him to be Lieutenant Colonel, hence the reason for posting the pic, although extremely grateful for all the information.

justmej

Any colonel, be he a half (Lt) colonel or full colonel, is referred to as "Colonel", mainly by other officers; to an "other rank" he would be simply "sir"! (well...sometimes, "colonel, sir")


Funny...I've done a trawl through the London Gazette, and there is just the one entry from 1917-1979 and there is just the one record I found earlier...I would have thought he would have retired or went onto the list of reserve/retired officers sometime....

Sorry when I posted re the Coloured Field Service Cap (CFSC) I thought that initials would do when referred to again!

[Stebie9173]

Don't forget that you can contact the MoD for a copy of his Army file:

http://www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/army.html


Steve.

[justmej]

And once again thanks Steve and Scrimnet!

Well, that explains why he was referred to as "Colonel" and "sorry" I never picked up on the CFSC; quite obvious really, once pointed out to me!

Am hoping to send for his Army file, so thanks for the link!

justmej

[Espiegle]

I have a jpeg of his 1901 census return, but it is too big to attach.
The details are:
Father James M Oliver aged 41, coal miner, living at 84 Quarry House, Haltwhistle, Northumberland.
Mother: Elizabeth Ann aged 40, 9 children, 6 sons, 3 daughters
James P was born in Featherstone, Cumberland, the third son.
Andrew

[justmej]

Hi Andrew

Thanks - I do already have the 1901 census return for the family, at Quarry House, Haltwhistle and have also managed to trace both families of his parents, James Richard and Elizabeth Ann, right back to the first census.  Have been fortunate enough to visit and look inside the house where his parents lived in 1881, when they married (Elizabeth Ann's parents house), thanks to the kindness of the present owner.

justmej

[justmej]

I have downloaded the form to apply for my grandfather's service details and now realise that I do not have a great deal of information, to enter on the form, other than his name and d.o.b.  As it asks for 'rank held on discharge' and as I don't know when his discharge was, would putting 'Lt. Colonel' suffice?

A bit more, that I have discovered (trawling through old newspapers!!) is that in late 1943, he was Captain & Adjutant in the Home Guard.  Also, in 1948, he is stated as 'Colonel, Control Commission' on my mother's marriage cert.

justmej

[scrimnet]

Ah...CCG!!

Control Commission Germany...Give that a Google!!!

[justmej]

Will do.......thanks!

justmej

[tickerwheel]

I suppose that it is possible the insignia on the arm of the uniform could be that of the CCG (British Occupation Zone) Germany:

A blue flag, on the canton a shield, a light blue cross on red with the golden, interlaced letters "CCG

I believe they had their own cap badge and lapel badges for officers, the uniform is believed to have been a mixture of khaki and blue - a bit of a ragbag assortment from all accounts.  I suppose some of the ranks could have been honorary, along with the civil servants etc etc.  That would probably account for him not being traceable through the LG ?

Neil