Mystery photo in need of a better look!

[scrimnet]

I shall post a nice long reply to this when I get to work...but in a word...yes...

[rancegal]

My great-uncle was in the Huntingdonshire Cyclists' Btn, which I assumed at first to be a 'pals' battalion, but no. It was a sort of TA affair where the men were trained to act as bicycle messengers, and when they were sent to the Front, were attached to other regiments. I didn't think anything unusual about that, until it was pointed out to me that Hunts isn't allowed a county regiment after the last one, whose commander was Oliver Cromwell!

[PaulaToo]

Ouch, now that's nasty.....
Cromwell was a b good soldier in my opinion, even if I am on the other side, credit where credit is due.

[O1dgobbo]

Hi All

A few pages ago I said that the officer on the left of the Flight Lieutenant was a Pilot Officer.  I have now checked with "The Boy's Wonder Book of the RAF" and want to revise that opinion.  Pilot Officers do have one ring on their tunic sleeve but this is about half the thickness of the rings worn by other officers.  The single ring in "our" photograph is similar in thickness to the two rings on the Flight Lieutenant's sleeve and so indicates the rank of Flying Officer.  Looking forward still to finding out the who and the what of "our" mystery picture.

Good luck

Gobbo

[Flakdodger]

Ladies and Gentlemen.............
A reply has been received from the daughter of the chap we thought we had identified. She has viewed the photo and states that her father is NOT present on it.
Ah well, collapse of stout party. It was a tempting trail to follow - a Flt Lt AFC/DFC Met specialist - and so much was being found about him.
An RAF Commands Met specialist is exploring the civilian in the hope that he is a meteorologist.
I plan to try an exhaustive search of interwar years Air Force Lists, so as to make a list of possible identities for the CO.
One more piece of equipment identification is that the object on the CO's head is a thermionic valve and part of the W/T apparatus; the flex from the valve seems to be connected to something like a microphone (in his hands).
So onwards and upwards - nought feet and nothing on the clock.
Please do watch this thread for future developments, I'm determined to crack it.
Thank you all so much for your kind inputs, you have been great supporters and your encouragement is appreciated.
Bookmark this thread - but we are now looking long term.
Dave  

[PaulaToo]

Per Ardua ad Astra, Dave.
I'm sure you will get there in the end.
The tread has been on my list since I first discovered it.
One day, I hope we will know what the *&())*& is going on, and who these guys are.

[piestains]

Caught up with all your posts today.  

I'm overwhelmed with the kindness and dedication you have all shown.  What a brilliant site  

Dave....shame about it not being the ladies father.  Oh well, cant win them all.  I managed to get (all be it slightly) better copy of the photo yesterday.  Still unable to read more of the book on the floor, but... the CO is holding what very much looks like a 2 pin power plug!    

Have done a bit of research myself, although not quite as intensive as some, not many contacts in this area I'm afraid.  Looked into the family a bit more and have passed it around more of the mature folk in our tree, but still no clues as to whom, where and why  

I've enjoyed reading all your posts.  They're all very enlightening and so fascinating - and have definately lessened the boredom while we wait for the outcome.

T h a n k   y o u    

[Rabbit B]

Well Dave and Piestains,

If all else fails you can listen to all the marches on that website I posted.  That will keep you going!  I have not yet found one for the RAF!   

Have you e-mailed this picture to the RAF Museum?  I would have done that if it had been mine! 

I am sure that I am not the only one who has been hunting through the RAF sites for information.  Nil desperandum folks!

Rabbit B 

PS would any of the restorers blow up the bits of the picture that we need to read! PLEASE!

[piestains]

This is the best copy I can get - so hopefully some kind soul can work their magic