This is the reverse side of the group photograph, with all the names, even the dog is mentioned. Jean Yardy advised: “The missing/covered name was is that of Lt Eddie Green.” Colin Dart enquired: “I stumbled across this photograph while researching some family history for my wife. Just wondered if you can shed any light on the gentleman in the back row / third left . His name looks to be Mr. J. Dart . Just curious as to whether there may be a connection.” Whilst O. R. D. Evans enquired: “My Father H. K. D. Evans Major late 4th Hussars Rank: Lieutenant Colonel, Service From Date: 01/02/1941 commanded the 13th North Riding (Worsall) Battalion. Is this the same battalion?” Can anybody assist with these enquires?
Image courtesy of Carolyn Richards, thanks to Jean Yardy for the missing name, also thanks to Colin Dart and O. R. D. Evans for the updates.
The clerks, typists, switchboard operators and Don R of the 4th Anti-Aircraft Group taken in 1944 at Chester. On the right in battledress is Brenda Varty. Bob Dunn advised: “The insignia on her sleeve is the D R over a winged wheel and is the badge worn by Despatch Riders.” Image and details courtesy of Brenda Horness; thanks to Bob Dunn for the updated information.
This young lady featured a lot in Loftus School Sports activities. Unfortunately the Second World War put a dampener on the athletics, but here on a Matchless G3 is Brenda Varty, sorry Private Varty, B, W/249378, – in khaki and carrying despatches for 913 Coy. R.A.S.C. John Aitken confesses: “Fantastic. Growing up as your next door neighbour at 3 Wood View, I knew that Uncle Less drove a tank and ate Germans (Sorry to any Germans reading) with salt and pepper, and you rode dispatch, but hadn’t seen a picture until this one. Thanks.”
Image courtesy of Brenda Horness, thanks to John Aitken for the update.
Members of the 4th (Cleveland) Battalion Army Cadet Force (Green Howards), on their annual Camp at Cayton Bay, 1944. Maurice Toulson advises: ’All the lads shown are from Loftus, Brotton, Staithes and surrounding districts. Many of them are still about, and a good looking lot they are still. Not old enough at the time to be in the forces, we all thought we were doing our bit for King and Country. We marched from Scarborough Station to the camp with a Pipe band, went on manoeuvres with the Airborne Forces on Fylingdale Moor, had Canadian cooks and the food was wonderful. Great times with a great set of lads.’
The only names we have so far are on the 2nd row: 5. Ken Barnet, 6. Eric Agar, 7….., 8. Harry Stonehouse, 9. Major Arrowsmith, 10. John Nicholson, ….. 16. Maurice Toulson, 17…..
Image and information courtesy of Maurice Toulson.
Here’s a happy group of Army Cadets, N.C.Os and Officers posing for their photograph with a shiny new trophy in their midst. Loftus Detachment; they were attached to the 4th Battalion Green Howards (although there looks to be an alien cap badge or two and even the Green Howards badges are all from different eras).
Back Row: Dennis Calvert, Don Bowers, Bill Hicks, Chris Cummins, John Barrett, John ‘Jack’ Nicholson, Dougie Upton, Len Purver.
Middle Row: Terry Codling, Harry Dack (doing his National Service), Richard Lean (doing his National Service), Jack Nicholson, Ray Husband, John Waite, Alan May.
Front Row: Don Yeoman, Geoff Hicks, Colin Morrison.
But – what was the occasion and what was the Trophy?John Nicholson has added: “Still going strong , living in Marton in Cleveland.”
Image courtesy of Barbara Waite and Eileen Hicks, updates on cap badges and missing names courtesy of John G. Hannah and Ray Husband; thanks to John Nicholson for the update.
The image shows Geoffrey College Steyert on the left and Ron Patton on the right. When first posted and we sought names, etc., as a result this image provided both email and comments regarding this post.
Norman Patton told us: ”I am concluding that this photograph was almost certain to have been taken on ”Re-badging Day”when presumably the Battery at Loftus and probably 631 Lt Regiment Royal Artillery was disbanded and the Loftus detachment of the 4th Bn Green Howards(V) was created. This would have been about 1960 ish! There would in that case be Light Artillery pieces, troops in their several uniforms and probably the Regimental Silver on display. Someone out there knows the full story and all we have to do is wait for their call? It is a good picture, Mr Steyert, isn’t it?”
John Wright informed us: ”Geoffrey College Steyert is dressed in Royal Artillery number one dress Blues complete with RA stable belt. Ronnie Patton is in Battle Dress order which was in use until the early 60’s. Coronation Park (to use its correct name) was opened in 1937 along with Coronation Road to commemorate King George the 6th Coronation. The trophy in the front is I think Boer War period 1899 to 1902 and the badge on the front looks to be that of the East Yorkshire Regiment. From the style of dress I should think this was taken in the 1950’s. My Dad Paddy Wright was BQMS of the Royal Artillery unit at the Drill Hall. The RA took over from the Green Howards after WW2; it was 631 Light Regiment Royal Artillery. In the late 50’s early 60’s the unit was disbanded and taken over by the Green Howards who moved to Guisborough, this is when my dad resigned. His cry was ”once a gunner always a gunner” and he would not join the Infantry. The drill hall then was used exclusively by the Army Cadets. The Garages and gun park were sold off to Loftus Club so they could expand.” Matthew Marsay commented: “I love this photograph of my grandad!”; whilst Julie Riddiough asked: “Wonder if we’re related my nana’s maiden name was Marsay.”
Image courtesy of Stephen Steyert, with many thanks to Norman Patton and John Wright for the full explanation; thanks to Matthew Marsay and Julie Riddiough for the updates.
Geoffrey found this picture that shows the radar gear as it was in the 1950s. The airmen who operated the Coast Radar were stationed on camp at East Barnby and marched down to the site each day to carry out their duties. Dave Jones tells us: ”I was stationed there from 1954 to 1956, we had the worst snow in 100 years, cut off for three weeks; ran out of food, they dropped food by helicopter; snow ploughs could not make Lythe Bank. Hey anybody remember – Dave Jones – me? (Now living in California, USA) or Nat Cole from London (now deceased); two guys from Sheffield in our six bed dormitory? What a waste of time National Service was but I met some great lads from all over UK. God Bless (Norman) “Nat” Cole from London.”. Whilst Dean Gibson tells us: ”The picture shows a Type 14 Chain Home Extra Low (CHEL) / Ground Controlled Intercept (GCI) radar. It had a frequency of 3 GHz, (10cms wavelength) giving it good definition and could pick up a bomber sized target at 90 miles flying at 6,000 feet over the sea. This provided adequate early warning against piston engine aircraft; however, for jet aircraft, due to their higher speed, greater pick-up range was required and the Type 14 gave way, in the early 50’s, to the magnificent Type 80. These were located at various sites around the UK and Germany and also on Mount Olympus, Cyprus, with four being sold to Sweden. One was installed at RAF Seaton Snook but never at RAF Goldsborough. The last Type 80 in service was at RAF Buchan, NE Scotland. I was fortunate to use that Type 80 radar in operations at RAF Buchan and was sorry to see it taken out of service in 1992 to be replaced by a modern planar phased array radar.” Geoffrey assisted with: “I took the photograph when we and the lads went down to Goldsborough pub, think it was the Fox. I was stationed at RAF Goldsborough the camp at East Barnby; it was at the time they were building the first early warning station at Fylingdales with golf ball type enclosed radar aerials. Talking about the weather I was up at Fylingdales marooned for days and yes we had food helicoptered into us. It was 1962/3, I was 19 years old on 5131 Bomb disposal and went out daily to clear the moorland for a safe build as it was used as an artillery range in the war and had to be made safe. We cleared 2 inch and 3 inch mortar bombs and 25 pound shells, very unstable with proximity fuses.” Sharon Warren commented: “My father, Peter Warren was an armourer stationed at RAF Goldsborough, about 1959/60 to about 1962 when he was posted to France. He was part of the team that had to clear the ground of any ammunition, ready for Fylingdales to be built. He was part of 5131 bomb disposal, I was born there, do you remember him?” Geoffrey responded to Sharon’s query: “I was at Goldsborough in October 1960 onwards but did not come across your father, I am so sorry I could not help. Then I was a 20 year old and now coming up 80: where have the years gone?”
Image and information courtesy of Geoffrey Powell, also thanks to Dave Jones, Dean Gibson and Sharon Warren for the updates.
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