WWII Army Photo?

[Flosse]

Hi

Can anyone help me to identify this photograph and what this cup may have been presented for?  My grandfather, Frederick G C Smart, is 2nd from the left and was a serving member of the Army during WW11.  He served with the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry (OBLI) as a Captain, eventually becoming a Major (Hon). 

The cup appears to be marked with "Julius Challenge Cup.  MIIOW 1940/4" but could be wrong there - photographer was also very adept at chopping off heads!  We are not sure whether it is an Army event but the style of the buildings behind and the dress code of all the chaps involved leans towards that assumption.

We know that he was a keen sportsman and enjoyed polo, sailing, boxing and a variety of other sports and participated in the Army games.   He served in India and we understand he also had involvement in the training of troops for the Pegasus Bridge assault.

Any assistance in identifying where this photo may have been taken, who else may be in it and what the occasion may have been will be very gratefully received as we have no clue whatsoever to date.

Thank you very much
Flosse

[HeatherLynne]

Seems to me there's a bit of a comedy element to the photo - the 'trophy' looks home made.  Also the men are wearing smart trousers and shoes, not really sporting gear.  Is that a huge comedy medal on the third chap from the left?  Maybe their heads were nearly cut off in the photo on purpose to add to the fun element of the occasion?

If I'm totally wrong and it turns out to be a very serious and momentous occasion then I'm very sorry for suggesting such a possibility.     

Heather

p.s. what date was your grandfather born?  I'd say he might be late 20s in the photo?

[arthurk]

I wonder if "MIIOW" might actually be "MHOW" - Google brings up a host of links referring to this as an important military base in India. I can't help with any of the rest, though it did occur to me too that the trophy looked a bit ironic.

Arthur

[Flosse]

Hi

Thanks for the responses.

My Grandfather was born in 1906. 

I am not sure if there was meant to be any comedy element, although they all look in good spirits, - but I agree the trophy looks home made..I expect they just assembled it from whatever they had spare at the time.  I am intrigued by the letters Y on their jumpers and the large red cross type badge on the third chap from the left.

Arthur - the more I look at this, the more I suspect you are right about the initials and the India link - most of the photos we have of him are taken in India.  I did find this link, indicating a presence that may be them (52nd Light Infantry) in 1940...
http://dkvblog.sulekha.com/blog/post/2007/07/army-regiments-in-mhow-1840-1948-a-fascinating.htm

I will read a little more..

It would be good to know what on earth they were doing with this dustbin-sized trophy!

Flosse

[adam180]

Hello Flosse
Do you think they could be talking about this cup your grandfather won, although I am not sure if I would call it ornate, having now seen it, 
It's a page from "The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry War Chronical" Vol 1, September 1939-June 1940. by Lieut Colonel J.E.Neville.
I shall have a closer look, and see if I can see him mentioned anywhere in it.
Hope this helps.
Adam
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/FJVCjwp8qVLyagIKs3rR1k3Uf_vefkbQfI2zeUzad7Y?feat=directlink

[Flosse]

Hi Adam,

Thanks for taking the time to look for this - it could well be the same cup that they are talking about, although I agree that describing it as 'ornate' is a little generous!  I'd like to know what all the badges represent..

If you manage to find any information on him at all, I would be most grateful. We have sent for his records but are still waiting for their return so not exactly which regiment he served with within the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry.  Apparently he went on to serve with the Greenjackets as well.

Thanks again - fingers crossed it is in fact the same event!
Flosse

[Colin Cruddace]

The badge looks as though it has a ribbon so I think it might be symbolic of a medal (probably the VC). I'm wondering if they were the winning team (Y team) and the badge holder the individual winner.

[CarolA3]

We have sent for his records but are still waiting for their return so not exactly which regiment he served with within the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. Apparently he went on to serve with the Greenjackets as well.

Hi Flosse 

Just to clarify, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry was a regiment, and was made up of two battalions.  In 1958 it was absorbed into the Green Jackets Brigade (later The Royal Green Jackets).
See www.sofo.org.uk/research-centre/oxfordshires-regiments/obli.

Regards,
Carol