What the well-dressed recruit was wearing in 1942. A group of 'R Company' recruits at Shorncliffe Barracks, Kent, in early 1942. Photograph and identifications courtesy of Tom Turnbull.
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Though many of the reinforcement drafts to the 16th DLI in 1941-42 came from the Regimental Depot, No 4 Infantry Training Centre at Brancepeth, Co Durham, many men were called up directly from civilian life into the Battalion and undertook their basic with the Battalion's 'R' Company. Here are several of these new recruits in uniforms which look as though they've just been issued.
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Left to right: Tommy Richardson (KIA 10/10/43), Ronnie Hamilton, Jackie Davis, Cpl M Scott (instructor, who later served in Burma), Peter Morrell, Tom Turnbull, Norman Bland.
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Tom Turnbull: 'That was the first photo we had taken in uniform, it'd be 1942. I remember we put our caps on a bit on the side and Pearly Gates was coming past [CSM George Gates]. You know what his first words were? "When you're finished with that photograph I want all them on straight!"'
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