WW2 4th Battalion Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (RNF) Motor-cycle / Reconnaissance Battalion - An Impressive Collection of Large Format Press / War Office Photos

15 black and white photos, 13 large format (circa 24cms by 20 cms / 9.5 inches by 8 inches) and two smaller sepia coloured ones (circa 16.5cms by 12cms). All the property of the former Commanding Officer and now being offered for sale by his son, Col D. R. Wood (author of the "Fifth Fusiliers and Its Badges"). All of the larger format photos are glossy and have a Central Press Photos Ltd, Fleet Street stamp to the reverse, the name of the owner and in some cases his address and ink pen annotations of the location and date, all state Blandford, Dorset, September 1940. The two smaller ones bear Official War Office Stamps, but are also of the location and the date on these are the same. They have southern command insignia on the front of the side cars and on some photos the distinctive painted red V is visible on the brodie helmets, which is a reference to the red pagri band worn by this regiment on the foreign service helmet in days gone by.

The 4th Battalion RNF was commanded by Denis Wood's father, Lt Col R Wood, T.D.. Denis is now 96 years old and looking to find a good home for this important collection. Please note they are sold as seen, and not subject to return. Mostly in good condition, clear images with the odd tear or edge wear.

The 4th Battalion RNF were part of the Territorial Force allocated the the 50th (Northumbrian) Division as its motorcycle reconnaissance battalion. They were deployed to France as part of the BEF in February 1940. They were heavily engaged in the fighting in May, and on 1st June were ordered to abandon and destroy their remaining vehicles and move to Dunkirk, where were embarked from the Dunkirk Mole on the "Medway Queen". The remains of the battalion were reformed and as one can see from these photos. In September 1940, it was redesignated as as Reconnaissance Battalion. This was regarded as quite novel for the time and as the press photos on sale here show caused quite a bit of interest and excitement. The Battalion was deployed to Middle East and North Africa in June 1941.

Some of the photos are annotated on the reverse with the names of various officers, the relevant company and the location and date.

Please note I am selling this on behalf of the family and would prefer not to split the photos. Please note there are no returns on this item.

Comm DRW

Code: 67379