Which Regiment?

[Kiwi-7]

Here's a picture of my great-grandfather, John William Ward, taken during World War II:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/38/greatgrand ad6x4.jpg

Can anyone tell, from looking at his uniform, what regiment he was in?

If not, where's the best place to find out?

Thanks,

Kiwi-7.

[dot.haukes]

Don Steel has published many articles over the years on this subject and he does offer a mail order service:
http://www.rfc-rnas-raf-register.org.uk/Britis h%20Military%20Uniform%20Identification%20Serv ice.htm

[stewey]

Kiwi-7, I cannot help with your question; however, if you could adjust the brightness and contrast on this photo, with the appropiate software, and post it again someone might identify the uniform and insignia.

[poetrylover]

From the fleur de lys badges I would say it's the Manchester Regiment:

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mo m/objectfocus/fleurdelys

Do let us know what you find out ... fascinating..... what was his name and what year was the photo? There are several places for WWII records on line which might show you more info if his name is a little unusual ... no chance with John Smiths for example!!

Does this help?

[Kiwi-7]

Thank you for your answer, stewey.

Here's the same photo with brightness/contrast adjusted:

http://img188.imageshack.us/img188/38/greatgra ndad6x4.jpg

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Thank you, poetrylover, for your answer, too.

My great-grangfather's name was John William Ward, and the photo was taken in 1941.

Finally, if you would like to exchange e-mail addresses, I could keep you informed with what I find out.

[zzxxee]

you could take it to a military museum they could tell you loads there

[dot.haukes]

It does look like he was a captain based on the shoulder badges, but it's not easy to see the campaign ribbons as they are in b&w not colour.
poetrylover is probably right about the manchester regiment:

this link near the bottom gives more details of the regiment including the fleur de lys lapel badge

http://www.themanchesters.org/7th%20batt.htm

[paraffin]

The gentleman in the photo is undoubtedly a Captain. The three pips are obvious, plus the fact that he's wearing the Sam Browne belt which only Officers are entitled to.

How poetrylover can make out "fleur de lys" lapel badges is beyond me, hee hee. I've even used a magnifying glass and still cannot distinguish which Corps / Regimental insignia they signify.

[dot.haukes]

They're very clearly fluer de lys badges to me, when i put my curser over the picture i can zoom in to see them in detail, and they match the badges in the link i have added too for one of the Manchester battalions

[stewey]

I'm curious about the contrasting color of the shirt. I thought that the British army had dark colored ones.

[SnakeEyes]

Kiwi are you in Manchester if yes pop up to Ashton they have the Manchester's museum . You can see one of the cannons outside the museum in this picture

http://www.tameside.gov.uk/tmbc_images/busines s/markethallnov2007_full.jpg

[poetrylover]

Hi Kiwi-7 ... you can let me know what happens via [email protected]

And apologies for asking you for his name .... I see now that it was on your original question - sorry!!!

Everyone: As Dot says ... if you zoom in you can see the badges quite easily