Any info on Captain Marillier, SAAF?

[Adriano Baumgartner]

PS: Anyone knows what the sigle Esq means? I do have found it after the name of Eric Stanley Marillier, Esq. OBE. Do not know! Any relations to the Royal Air Force - Esquadrille or Squadron ?
Thanks
Adriano

[stefaan]

Hi Tod.
I agree with Adriano.
His Uniform has two utensils not seen in WWII SAAF crew.
The Wings are not SAAF but RAF, making it WWI RFC origin.
The Cap was very unpopular and seldom used by flying crew.More WWI vintage. Is there a date of issue inside the cap?
The fact that he has an 'Ouma se Bandjie' means he signed the oath in SA as a S African at the outbreak of the War.
It is very possible that he was a base OC or Instuctor at a Flying School under the Empire Training Scheme in SA during the war.He may have worn his wings but never actually flew in WWII.
Hope it helps
Stefaan

[rathbonemuseum]

Hello all.

Thanks for all the help. I am still consuming all the information but I can fix some things right now:
- the cap has no bearing on the identity. The only original parts are the tunic and pants
- the number in the sleeve i believe is A1138. There is a better version inked into the other sleeve.
- I know he is not the two Marillier brothers. They died in 1942 and this tunic is dated 1943. their service does not match.
- I think Eric Stanley is the leading candidate so far. The question is, how did he qualify for the RAF wings? What WWI service?

Cheers,

Tod

[Alex Smart]

Hello,
From the book-
85 Years of SAAF.
2Lt. R. F. Marillier (k)
31.5.42
Tomahawk IIB
AN360
4 Sqd
S/d by Bf109

All that Air Britain AA100-AZ999 has is
AN360 4 SAAF - SOC as lost 6.6.42 NFD.

Alex

[rathbonemuseum]

Alex,

Thanks. I think that must be a different Marillier because he was killed in 1942 and was a Lieutenant at the time. The tunic I have is to a named as well as ranked captain in late 1943. Probably a different guy, right? I think it is Eric Stanley because the awards fit along the timeline. I just don't know how Eric Stanley got his wings.

Cheers,

Tod