The lack of unit and rank insignia in the photo of John Wintershausen at left below suggests it was taken early in the war, perhaps before his posting to the Middle East. The distinctive ‘Guards-style’ 16 DLI shoulder flash is notable in the photo at bottom right, which is dated 6/3/44 on the reverse. Other frontline DLI battalions had a ’Durham LI’ flash as opposed to the full phrase ‘Durham Light Infantry’, which was unique to the 16th Battalion. The beret in the photo at top right and the collar and tie dates it as late 1945. The beret began to replace the ‘fore and aft’ cap in 1943 and the open collar and tie were the preserve of officers until just after the war.
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