Military Photographs of Major G W Rea Bamford 1920-1961
The following photographs follow the military career of a young 19 year old who 'joined up' in 1939 to serve his country.
He passed through many locations throughout the war and on his demobilisation, he continued his military career in the TA.
Locations (of the photographs) include Paignton (1940), Le Havre (1940), London (1941), Yatta, Kenya (1944), Nairobi (1945), Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia (1946), Ballyedmond (1948), Aldershot (1949), Dundrum Castle (1950), Sydenham (1958) and Belfast (1960).
He is also a holder of the Burma Star which was awarded for service in the Burma Campaign between 11 December 1941 and 2 September 1945. This medal was also awarded for certain specified service in China, Hong Kong, Malaya and Sumatra:
- Hong Kong - between 26 December 1941 and 2 September 1945
- China and Malaya - between 16 February 1942 and 2 September 1945
- Sumatra - between 24 March 1942 and 2 September 1945
Bamford volunteered and served with the 3rd (Ulster) Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps. At one stage of the war, he was attached to the Royal Ulster Rifles. Following the war, he rose in rank to Major and was Officer commanding , 931 (Ulster) Company, Royal Army Service Corps (Volunteers).
He died on 28th December 1961.
1960 - Major Rea Bamford TD - Sandhill Gardens, Belfast.
1958 to 1960 - Major Rea Bamford TD - in line to meet HRH The Duke of Gloucester.
1958 - Major Rea Bamford TD leading 931 (U) Company RASC (V) salutes the Queen Mother at the Golden Jubilee Parade of the TA at Sydenham, Belfast
1955c - Major Rea Bamford TD (front row 4th from left) with 931 (U) Company RASC (V)
May 1950 - Rea Bamford (4th from left) - Dundrum Castle
1949 - Mess, Aldershot.
June 1948 - 931 (Ulster) Company Royal Army Service Corps (Volunteers)
- Ballyedmond.
June 1948 - 931 (Ulster) Company Royal Army Service Corps (Volunteers)
- Ballyedmond.
Unknown date and location.
February 1946 - Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia, 2nd Bn. Kings African Rifles - Captain Rea
Bamford (3rd from left).
February 1946 - Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia, 2nd Bn. Kings African Rifles - Captain Rea
Bamford (centre with stick).
February 1946 - Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia, 2nd Bn. Kings African Rifles.
February 1946 - Lusaka, Northern Rhodesia, 2nd Bn. Kings African Rifles.
1945 - VE Day Parade in Nairobi.
1945 - VE Day Parade in Nairobi .
1944 - Yatta, Kenya - Rea Bamford (1st from left front row).
1944 - Yatta, Kenya - Rea Bamford (1st from left front row).
Rea Bamford (1st from left, back row) - other details unknown - please help?
Details unknown - please help?
12th July 1944 - Lt. Rea Bamford - Royal Ulster Rifles.
17th February 1941 - London - Rea Bamford.
New photo to be inserted here
1940 - Paignton - L Brooks and Rea Bamford
July 1940 - Rea Bamford (4th from left) - others include L Brooks, J F Watson, Eddie Gordan, ? Browne, ?? (order not known).
April 1940 - Le Havre - Eddie Gordan and Rea Bamford.
February 1940 - Le Havre - 3rd (Ulster) Anti-Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army
Service Corps - (see the link below re 3rd AA Brigade re Col Jimmy Hughes).