Photo of RAF / WAAF meal possibly in West of Scotland

[SandyMcJ]

I wonder if anyone can tell me where this photo was taken and what the event was (and maybe even spot someone they can identify). The photo belonged to my late mother who came from Glasgow and was in the WAAF. She is near the front of the photo and by comparison with other war-time photos of her I think this was taken fairly early on in her service, ie around 1941, though I suppose it could be a meal celebrating victory at the end of the war. To me everyone seems to be airforce rather than being from all the services.
The photo is stamped J Hall, Photographer, 60 Caledonian Crescent Gourock suggesting it was taken in Scotland, though my mother spent most of the war based in Lincolnshire. I had thought it might be have been taken at Christmas, but there's no sign of any sort of festive decorations which might have been expected even during war-time. Could it be recruits before setting off for their first postings or a gathering during a period of leave?
Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[sharki]

Certainly not new recruits, there are junior NCO's and Leading Aircraftsmen seated with senior NCO's and a Warrant Officer standing among them. They all appear to be wearing "best blue" which suggests this may have been Christmas lunch when the junior ranks are served by senior ranks. There appears to be one aircrew officer in the background at left of picture and some catering staff among those standing at the back.

[macintosh]

Looking at the columns in the back of the pic it certainly looks like a ballroom or some other grand building as opposed to an aircraft hangar, there is a person with a schoolboy's cap on being "fed" some food on a fork, is it me or does he look like Tommy Trinder?. I wonder if this is some kind of show, perhaps ENSA or Stars in Battledress, similar to Workers Playtime.

Regards

James

[elaine447]

Hi SandyMcJ
Brilliant picture 
looking at the columns it could be the Gamble Halls
I'm sure if you email the Greenock Telegraph a copy
they would publish it in the Telegraph,
maybe some of the older locals would remember something
about it
Elaine
second thoughts doesn't look like Gamble Halls
trying to find picture of Greenock Town Hall
as the columns look similar to the ones in there

[SandyMcJ]

Thanks Sharki and James for your suggestions.

I'm inclined to think this wasn't a show, I suspect the chap in the schoolboy cap was just doing his 'party piece'. What this does show is service of the meal was still in progress as those towards the front of the photo still have empty place settings whilst those in other rows have started their meals!

Assuming this was a Christmas meal and assuming it took place in the West of Scotland, would the service people be on leave and back at their homes for Christmas, or would they be stationed nearby? If it was an event for service people on leave I think I would have expected it to be for all the services rather than just the airforce. However, I'm not sure my mother was ever stationed in Scotland, unless she was being trained close to home just after her enlistment. Were there any air force stations in the area where these people might have been based? I would estimate there's 200+ people present at this event.

Sandy

PS Elaine - you posted whilst I was typing! - thanks for your suggestion too, I'll follow that up.

[ikas]

Hi,

You could also contact the RAF club at Argowan Square in Greenock for details of Training Wings in the area at that time.

Seems reasonable to think it must have been in the Greenock/Gourock area if a Gourock photographer was used.

[roopat]

I've half convinced myself my mother's in this picture - and her best mate!!! But she never mentioned being in Scotland in wartime and as we took her on several holidays there, we would definitely have heard about it    

The WAAF Association might be able to help, I'm sure you could google their details.

Pat

[bleckie]

Hi All

Contact details

Contact details for WAAF Association are;
Mrs Eileen Hollidge,
26, East Street,
Fareham,
Hants..
PO16 0BY.

Yours Aye
BruceL

[elaine447]

Photographer J Hall, Caledonia Cresent was probably his home address
as it is a private dwelling,
his name is James Hall and his business address was
15 Sugarhouse Lane Greenock
I will look through them to see how long he was at this address,
maybe if you find some info on the photographer it may help
you find out where he took his pictures
Elaine