Bath Time....1940

[Andy Saunders]

This image has been in my collection for a good while now but is a bit of a mystery. Am pretty sure all are fighter pilots and it is probably early 1940. Can anyone place the location or put names to faces? I suspect the fire damage was an accident rather than courtesy of the Luftwaffe.

[Ex Shack]

Hi Andy
The only thing I can suggest is the one in the bath might be S African from the lighter trousers and the centre one of the other 3 seems to have a slightly darker uniform and could be RAAF. It was clearly a communal bathroom and might well have suffered as the result of Luftwaffe action
Regards
Dick

[Andy Saunders]

I can see what you mean, but am pretty certain the chap in the bath is wearing civvy trousers and I don't think the chap in the middle is wearing an Aussie uniform, although it does appear darker but I think that is just light and shadow. Since I suspect the date may be pre May 1940 I tended to shy away from Luftwaffe damage having caused the fire....but I may be wrong.

[PeterVerney]

Could this be in France during Winter 1939-40. See the scarves and hands in pockets and general untidiness of dress.

[CJE]

No way!
French had no bathrooms at that time :-)

[Oxby R]

Two baths, and a large ventilation shaft in the background..
Taken in a fire damaged hotel maybe ?

ps Those scarves are prob silk. Ever so 'in' at the time, darling - and not untidy at all !

[Andy Saunders]

I think, from the nature of the buildings, that is bog-standard accomodation at an as yet unidentified RAF station.

[gedburke3]

OK,
I'll stick my head on the block with a guesstimate!
The blurred chap in the middle could be Newell Orton - George Brotchie in the bath and the chap on the left looks familiar to another 73 Squadron pilot whose name i can't quite recall but is in Peter Cornwalls book on the Battle of France - don't recognise the one on the right. So 73 Squadron somewhere in the UK just prior to the Battle of France possibly.