What ribbons would this SAS soldier be wearing?

[WWIIBuff]

In this 1942 picture of Lt. Edward McDonald with the S.A.S. in North Africa, what ribbons would you say he is wearing at this point in the war? I am thinking the one on the left may be the pre-war General Service Medal, but I am not sure about the one on the right.

[CollectorDon]

Without looking him up I should imagine it's a DCM followed by the GSM. DCM awarded prior to commission.

Regards, D.

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks. I tried to look him up on the internet, but could not find anything.

[Paul B]

Dcm

Don is absolutely right:

http://www.specialforcesroh.com/show...cDonald-Edward

From memory I believe that McDonald served in No 11 (Scottish) Commando where he impressed the legendary Paddy Mayne and took part in the Litani River operation in the Lebanon, before joining the SAS. He appears in the iconic image of David Stirling standing next to bearded, jeep-borne SAS soldiers that's featured in many books.

All the best

Paul.

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks for the link Paul.

[WWIIBuff]

Hi Guys, I'm back with a couple more questions about what you think Lt. McDonald is wearing in this picture, and the few of him in the Jeep. I'm doing up a mannequin of him, and would like to be as accurate as possible.

So my questions are about the border color of his pips, and the color and material of his cravat or scarf.

I found a scale figurine on the web of Lt. McDonald and they have the border around his pips as red. I guess they could be red for infantry, but in my experience red does not show up that dark in black and white photos. Any other suggestions since he came from the Cameron Highlanders?

Regarding the cravat, it does not appear to be silk, it looks thicker and rougher. It almost looks like wool, but in the desert? Was there any type of tradition you guys know of that the British soldiers may have done to create their scarves or cravats? Like tearing a bed sheet or blanket or something?

Regarding the cravat color, the figurine I found had it painted an olive green. I suppose that might make sense, but are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

John

[JanC]

Hi Guys, I'm back with a couple more questions about what you think Lt. McDonald is wearing in this picture, and the few of him in the Jeep. I'm doing up a mannequin of him, and would like to be as accurate as possible.

So my questions are about the border color of his pips, and the color and material of his cravat or scarf.

I found a scale figurine on the web of Lt. McDonald and they have the border around his pips as red. I guess they could be red for infantry, but in my experience red does not show up that dark in black and white photos. Any other suggestions since he came from the Cameron Highlanders?

Regarding the cravat, it does not appear to be silk, it looks thicker and rougher. It almost looks like wool, but in the desert? Was there any type of tradition you guys know of that the British soldiers may have done to create their scarves or cravats? Like tearing a bed sheet or blanket or something?

Regarding the cravat color, the figurine I found had it painted an olive green. I suppose that might make sense, but are there any other suggestions?

Thanks

John

Wool is plausible. Look at the guy standing next to the jeep...he is wearing a heavy coat.
Don't forget it freezes in the desert by night!

[kammo man]

He's wearing a RN issue Duffle coat.

[kammo man]

Here's Monty wearing one in his caravan.
It was at the I W M a decade ago

[kammo man]

[JanC]

Here's Monty wearing one in his caravan.
It was at the I W M a decade ago

Nice.

Seems like Monty put some photos of German Generals on his wall.

[kammo man]

From what I remember reading he liked to look into his adversaries faces to "know" them.
I believe the trailer was captured Italian rolling stock.

[WWIIBuff]

Wool is plausible. Look at the guy standing next to the jeep...he is wearing a heavy coat.
Don't forget it freezes in the desert by night!

Yes, "the guy" next to him (Col. David Stirling, creator of the S.A.S.) is wearing a typical "Duffel" coat as worn by Royal Navy and Army personnel, just like the "Tropal" coat was worn by the L.R.D.G. It is very cold in the desert at night and early morning, so this shot was probably taken early in the day.

However, McDonald and the rest of the S.A.S. patrol are all in shorts and shirts with their sleeves rolled up, probably prepared for the heat of the day, so why a wool scarf? Maybe it is wool and he just planned to take it off later as the temperature rose.