Suffolk Yeoman ‘On Tour’

The chance purchase today of a photograph taken before the Eiffel Tower in Paris in 1945 revealed upon closer inspection, a delightfully old stalwart of the Suffolk Yeomanry, whose identity is at present, unknown.

The remainder of the men in the image are from various Army units and even a couple of RAF men. Together with Corps Troops from RASC, REME, REME and RE, can be seen men sporting the badges of the Leicester’s, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry and Royal Scots Fusiliers and several men are seen to be wearing the Polar Bear patches of the the 49th (West Riding) Division of which the Suffolk Yeomanry were part. Could this have been a special trip to Paris organised for wounded men? He certainly looks to have ‘been in the wars’ though that could have been a pub fight with a Frenchman the night before!

Medal ribbons can be seen on our yeoman's Battledress showing his previous service, though several other men wear them too. It could be an Africa Star on his battledress? or possibly just a France and Germany Star ribbon in cellophane covering reflecting in the bright sunlight? He appears to be wearing ‘Royal Artillery’ shoulder titles, and the distinctive shape of the two-turret castle cap badge is clearly seen. What is more interesting is that he might be wearing a yeomanry collar badge on his battledress but it looks a little small to be one, in which case, could it be a commemorate pin badge?

But just who is he?

An old soldier definitely, with pre-war service? Possibly, but he’s not attained higher rank. He’s not made Bombardier so an old perhaps not a man from a gun Battery, but from Battery HQ instead? Sadly there are no clues on the rear of the image other than the photographers stamp from No. 12 Rue de Port-Mahon, so sadly we might never know who he was.

Images of Suffolk Yeomanry men are quite rare so pin down another from the Second World War, is a real treat. Hopefully when it arrives in the post, a clearer scan might yield more clues and maybe one of you might recognise him?