anyone recognize this occupation ??

[alveleyhistorian]

Hi there, just wondering if anyone can recognize the occupation from these uniforms ?? ..possibly WW1...??
any help much appreciated 

[weste]

Suggest you do a close up scan of the 2 different cap badges. Also are those numbers rather than badges on the second man on the front row. Looks as if there are about 3 different designs of  coats. Also there are some of them with a chain on. A lot  have the same badge on their sleeve as does the man standing up in the rain gear but some seem to have it on different sides which I find strange. It will interesting to find out what is. One on the front has one stripe. Some of the coats look a different shade. Notice the upside down horseshoe at the back. I presume the man with the cane is the senior.

[known_unknowns]

I'll have a guess: raliway marshalling-yard guards or night-watchmen...port authority officials or customs, pilots? (The gent in the white looks to be their cook or steward.) The gent with the sou' wester and rainwear may be providing an example (to the recipient of the photograph, etc.) of what these gents have to wear in foul weather...which may further provide a clue, in itself.

[Billyblue]

Blown up to 400%, the items on that chap's collar look like  I  II on his RHS lapel, and  II I on the left one.
Some of the other men have just the I  on each side.
So I'd say it's some sort of seniority pin, in whatever service they are in.

Dawn M

[alanmack]

Look like Police of some kind to me and with the senior man (Chief Inspector?) looking younger that most of them I'd say he was a full-time career man and the rest Specials maybe. The chap in the oilskins is puzzling.

Alan

[susan hemmings]

Maybe fire service.  It is odd how some have that band on their left arm and some on the right..  The chap at the front with the chevron on his sleeve also has "two pipps" on his collar.  Very odd.  Maybe somesort of naval outfit (Lifeboat), 

I am very curious now.  Hopefully someone can help.

Susan

[barryd]

I checked the RNLI (Lifeboats) which are a pre-victorian institution but just could not get any clues. From the men on the left and right of the photograph the photograph seems to have been taken out side of an oceanside, working base/residence something like a fire station, lifeboat station, customs station and whatever it was they ate there with the cook/steward preparing the food.

[mazi]

I am thinking aux fire service and ww2, looking at the hut they are standing in front of. The "officer" in the centre could be a regular fire officer placed in charge

mike

[stanmapstone]

Could be Firemen see http://www.bhsproject.co.uk/photo_firemen_1944.shtml there are some similarities

Stan