Collection of Mne John Nichol 45RM Cdo and RMFVR

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 25/11/2018 17:21:44

Note the white lanyards over the left shoulder and the lack of medal ribbons on many of the OR's. Makes me think this might be a Kings Troop photo ?? Post war ??

Mne John Nichol did serve in 45RM Commando 'E' troop and in 1948 he was attested into the Royal Marines Forces Volunteer Reserve as one of the first of 30 men to volunteer into this new reserve unit.

Image of Mne Nichol 45 RM Commando 'E' troop and his RMFVR certificate showing he was in the first group of the new RMFVR.

The photo doesn?t look like Marines to me, no globe and laurel cap badges, or blue sea service beret or green berets. Looks like an army troop. There is an E troop photo in the 45 gallery with your man in the rear ranks.

I accept there is a mixture. I believe some wearing the chain epaulette may be from cavalry regiments that became part of the RA. The certificate shows that Mne Nichol was in the first group attested into the new RMFVR and this took place at Artillery Ground, Bunhill Fields. This unit was the forerunner of the RM Reserve. Mne Nichol is in this photo and as far as I can see a lot are wearing berets. As it is a black and white image the colour cannot be established.

The Formation of the RM Forces Volunteer Reserve...

https://rmhistorical.com/files/content/AFO%204355%2012-12-1947.pdf

The cap badges and lanyards suggest The Royal Armoured Corps to me - which fits in with the chain mail epaulettes worn by the Staff in the front row.

Nick

Here are some good photos of the RAC

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/royal-armoured-corps-insignia-as-opposed-to-that-of-a-constituent-regiment.30639/

I am not 100 % sure the cap badge is the same. Also there is a lapel badge on the men in the photo I am enquiring about. So frustrating !!

Could be the Hon artillery company. HAC. They wear chain mail on service dress or No 1s.

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 10/02/2018 22:34:46

The collar dogs (lapel badges) were worn by many Army regiments - still are.

The RAC history is quite complex and includes a variety of cap badges and collar dogs...
Like you Pete, I cannot be 100% sure but I'd tend to err more on the the Tankies than the RMs - mostly because of the presence of chained mail epaulettes but also because the Tankies wear black berets....

http://gmic.co.uk/topic/43656-the-royal-armoured-corps-of-wwii/

Nick

This last post makes sense as my dad joined the TA and specified RAC. I assumed it was from when he was in the RM as it was amongst his papers.

Well that solves the puzzle. Thanks to all.

Diane,

Before we put this one to bed, just a couple of questions...

Where was your father from?
When did he join the TA?
Any idea of when the photo was taken?
Is your father on the photo?

Nick

This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 11/02/2018 14:50:20

The vehicle behind the Lance Corporal appears to be an Austin Champ. It was in production from 1951-1956 and remained with the British Army until 1968.

The Champ cost far more than the Land Rover, and was never as popular with troops, probably because the Landrover with its enclosed cab offered better protection from the elements and greater flexibility in use. With the reduction in size of the post-war army, many Champs were consigned to bulk vehicle storage and those employed in the Regular Army had relatively short careers before being redeployed to the Territorial Army. In the mid-1960s a decision was taken to withdraw the type from service completely, with all military Champs being sold off by 1968.

Nick, my dad was a Londoner but was evacuated to Southport during the war. He joined the Sea Cadets there and then the Royal Marines in Preston. He eventually moved up North where he joined the TA in, I think, 1960.
Dad is 3rd from the left 2nd row.

Thanks Diane, can you be a little more specific about 'up North' please?

Nick