Home Guard uniforms, 1942

[MacGrigor]

Hello,

I was sent a battalion photo a few years ago, or the 5th Battalion of the Essex Home Guard. The caption reads ‘officers September 1942’. Yet most of the men are enlisted men and not officers, apparent by their uniform. My grandma’s dad is in there, and he was certainly not an officer. I thought perhaps then that this is officers and NCOs, but there are no stripes on any of the men. Could anyone please tell me if this was standard for this type of Home Guard uniform? I’d appreciate any help. Will post the photo in a moment.

Best wishes,

Adam

[MacGrigor]

Here it is

[MacGrigor]

Here it is

Sorry: this is just a fragment due to the file size.

[scrimnet]

They are most definitely officers.

The opening of the collar and wearing of a tie wasn't allowed for other ranks in the regular forces until Aug 1944.

The HG other ranks never wore collar and tie.

The Khaki Field Service Cap was only worn by the HG after 1942 as the regs went into berets, Caps GS and Coloured Field Service Caps