WW2 Manchester soldiers

[norman hadfield]

Hello,
I have a photograph of a very young man (might even be a teenager) dated 1942 in uniform with the fleur de lys forage cap badge. I can't believe he is old enough to be a soldier as I think he was born about 1929. Did the M/ch Regt. have a unit within the Army Cadet Force in 1942? His epaulette carries some sort of cloth badge but there are no metal badges on his battledress. If one of our number feels they could help by viewing the photo I can E_mail it.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Regards, Norman Hadfield.

[rafboy]

Hi Norman.  I am sure lots will want to see the photo, if you cannot post it on the Forum youself I can do it for you.  Send it to me at us(AT)thephillips.eclipse.co.uk  Replace (AT) with @.  Using (AT) in you email address blocks automatic address gathrers from collecting your address foe Spam.
Are you related to Judith Cocker who's father was Herbert Hadfield, he served with the 1st Battalion The Manchester Regiment and was a Japanese POW.
Cliff
 

[rafboy]

Here is the photo posted on behalf of Norman.  I will leave Normans question to be answered by the real experts.
Cliff

[timberman]

Hi Norman

I can't find a link with a ACF unit and the Manchester's but this is what I found.

In the First World War a big expansion of the Cadet Force took place and the War office reassumed responsibility for its administration up until 1923 when the Territorial Associations again took over.  In 1930 the Government ceased to recognise the Cadet Force and withdrew financial support from it. Everything had to be provided by private raised money and even wearing of Regimental badges and buttons were forbidden.  A body known as the British National Cadet Association (BNCA) was formed with the aim of getting official recognition restored.  They achieve this aim at least to a limited degree in 1932 and by 1936 certain services and small grants were provided.  The BNCA had the responsibility of running the Cadet Force.
During the Second World War a big expansion of the Cadet Force took place in January 1942.  The War Office took over the organisation. Equipment and accommodation were increased grants and free uniforms were authorised.  The BNCA continued to deal with such matters as sport, competition shooting, and the general welfare of Cadets and many other aspects of cadet work.

1942
The War Office re-assumed the administration of the Cadet Force and the title Army Cadet Force was introduced.

An estimated 100,000 Army Cadets attended camp for one week that summer.  


In 1923 as a result of Defence cutbacks (Geddes Axe) all Governmental and Military support for the ACF was withdrawn. This led to the forming of the British National Cadet Association (BNCA) by notable figures such as Lord Allenby who were keen to maintain the ACF and lobby for Government funding, this was partially successful in during the 1930's. From 1939 the Cadet Forces supported the Home Guard at a time when the threat of Invasion was very real, because of this in 1942 the ACF was re-formed (The public school units became part of the CCF (Army) in 1948)

The 1942 date of the picture would tie in with your picture.

Thank you for letting us see it.

Timberman

A foot note.

The 1st Manchester Cadet Battalion started in 1884 and has continued without a break until the present time,

The cadet detachments are badged to regiments of the Regular Army mainly in their own county.

I would say he was a cadet and that the 1st Manchester Cadet force used the fleur de lys cap badge.

I think one or two of our members will be able to confirm that.

[Robert Bonner]

Although he looks too young to be a member of the Home Guard I think that the boy was probably attached to a Home Guard unit as a Messenger or possibly a bandboy. Bands were very popular! The slip-on badge on his epaulette might give an indication of this.

In his radio appeal Anthony Eden had said "We want large numbers of men from 17 to 65",  but I understand that no one bothered very much about the age of applicants and boys of 16 certainly enlisted.

[norman hadfield]

A quick line to say thank you for responses from members Cliff Phillips and Robert Bonner re my "soldier boy" and his possible connection with the ACF in 1942. The ACF seems to have had a long history and it makes interesting reading. I have since located another neighbour of mine, and the young man in my picture, who is quite sure he was  in the ACF.
Thanks again for all help received.
Regards, Norman Hadfield.

[timberman]

Hi Norman

Thanks for the PM.

Timberman

[rafboy]

Norman has come back to me and asked me to say thank you on his behalf and post the following information on the boy in the photo for him.

"The young man in the picture was Jackie Sanders of Withington, Manchester and we lived a few doors apart as youngsters. He was about four years older than me and, sadly,  died around two years ago in Australia having emigrated there a short while after WW2 with his parents. He was called Jackie as his father was Jack with the inevitable alternative of "big Jack" and "little Jack".Big Jack was in the Royal Armoured Corps in WW2 and I have pictures of him which I am sure were taken in the desert. When I was a teenager Big Jack gave me almost all the bits and pieces to put together a touring bicycle as I was becoming a bike fan and he and his wife, Mabel, were keen cyclists. I believe they used a tandem if my memory serves me right.
Regards, Norman."