Any ideas on where this might be (India ? )and who ?

The photo, possibly in India, on the link below was in the collection of Edward John Casselden who served in 44RM Commando. It is annotated "Commando wing March 1945." as you can see there is a chap in a Pith helmet in the centre. I have some thoughts on who this might be but would like to see if anyone can give more detailed information.

http://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/Royal+Marine+Commando+Units/CommandoWingMarch1945.jpg.html

The wording 'Commando Wing' is interesting and would lead me to think it may be the 3 Cdo Brigade Sub Section GHQ 2nd Echelon, Jhansi whose Telegragh address was SECECHELON CDOWING.

With the exception of the person in the pith helmet, the front row consists of a Warrant Officer, to the left of the pith helmet, several NCOs and the rear row all seem to be Marines.
The pith helmet gent - who seems to be wearing two pips ( Lieutenant) or a pip and a crown (Lt Colonel) - appears to be considerably older than the others and wearing four medal ribbons - which would point to him being a Lt Col rather than a Lt.

The pith helmet, medals and India might suggest Orde Wingate but he was a full Colonel when he arrived in the Far East in 1942, he died, an Acting Major General, in March 1944 - and the pith helmet that he favoured was a different design to that in the photo.

Nick

This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 22/12/2018 16:20:50

Thanks Nick

My immediate thought was that the older chap in the pith helmet looked like Admiral Sir Walter (Titch) Cowan who as you know was with Commando training and later 2 Commando Bde. during the war. I have read that at the end of the war he went to India with an Honorary Colonel rank in the 18th King Edward VII's Own Cavalry. Hiwever I am not good on comparisons so welcome yours and others views.

Good shout Pete,

Yes it certainly looks like him.
I was on night shift when I made my reply and was trying to think of Admiral Cowan's name...

But, my only reservation, is the amount of medal ribbons displayed.

Nick

Additionally Nick, on the service record, and backing up your thoughts, the writing is very faded and has been partially overwritten, but in faint the last original entries one below the other are as follows:

To 2nd Echelon 3 SS Bde. (date illegible).
To 2nd Echelon 3 Cdo Bde (date illegible).

hi Pete,

Good to see that my theory about the Commando Wing at the 2nd Echelon, GHQ, Jhansi was probably right.
Spent a few long hours studying the 'Pith Helmet' and photos of Admiral Cowan last night and have reached the conclusion that it isn't 'Titch' Cowan in the pith helmet.

Hopefully we'll get some leads on the photo...

Nick