Unknown Soldiers

A Royal Navy rating in square rig uniform, photographed at what appears to be a fleet canteen or social venue. He is smiling broadly and appears to be in his early twenties. No cap tally is visible to identify his ship. A second man in the background appears to be wearing tropical whites, suggesting the photograph may have been taken overseas — possibly in Egypt, Ceylon, or the Far East. No identifying marks on the photograph.

Group photograph of six women in WAAF (Women's Auxiliary Air Force) uniforms standing in front of a Nissen hut. The location appears to be an RAF station, possibly in East Anglia based on the flat landscape visible in the background. One woman has written names on the back, but only three are legible: "Jenny," "Dot," and "me" (pointing to the woman second from right). The others are unidentified. Dated "Summer 1944" on the back.

A young man in British Army uniform, likely a private or lance corporal, photographed at a studio in Brighton. The backdrop appears to be from a seaside photographer. He wears the cap badge of the Royal Sussex Regiment. The photograph is dated approximately 1942-43 based on the uniform style. Written on the back in pencil: "For Mum, with all my love." No name is visible.

Group photograph from a wartime wedding in Bermondsey, London, c. 1943. The bride appears to be in civilian dress with several service personnel. We have identified the groom as RAF but need help identifying the other four servicemen in the photograph.

Photograph of a Royal Navy officer standing on the deck of what appears to be a destroyer, possibly in Mediterranean waters. The officer is wearing tropical whites with lieutenant's rank insignia. Written on the back: "HMS Fury, Malta 1942". Can you identify this officer?

Formal portrait of a WAAF officer, possibly a Section Officer based on rank insignia. Taken at a studio in Edinburgh, stamp on back reads "Jerome Studio, Princes Street". Believed to be from 1944. She appears to be wearing the RAF wings of a trained pilot — possibly one of the ATA ferry pilots.

This soldier was identified in March 2026 as Private Thomas Walsh of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, thanks to a descendant who recognised the regimental badge. Thomas served in North Africa and Italy and survived the war, returning to Belfast where he worked as a bus driver until retirement.

Successfully identified as Sergeant William "Bill" Harding of the Dorsetshire Regiment through a combination of unit identification from cap badge analysis and cross-referencing with regimental records. His granddaughter contacted us after seeing the posting on social media.

Photograph of a soldier in Red Army uniform standing beside a tank, possibly a T-34. Location appears to be Eastern Europe. Found amongst personal effects donated to a charity shop in Leeds. No markings or inscriptions.

Small identity photograph of a woman in Soviet military uniform, possibly a medical officer. Medal ribbons visible but not identifiable from the photograph quality. Found tucked inside a Russian-language Bible donated to an Oxford bookshop.

Wedding photograph of a British serviceman in RAF uniform and a woman in civilian dress. The groom wears pilot wings. Written on reverse in Russian: "Our wedding day, Birmingham, 1946." The bride may be a Soviet-origin war bride.

Group photograph of five British and Soviet officers, taken at what appears to be a diplomatic reception. One Soviet officer wears naval uniform. Handwritten note on back: "Anglo-Soviet Reception, London, Feb 1944." None of the individuals are identified.

Studio portrait of a young Soviet officer wearing Order of the Red Star. Inscription on reverse reads "To my dear sister Natasha, from your brother, 1943." Photograph found in a house clearance in Bournemouth, Hampshire.

Group photograph of five Soviet servicemen in winter uniforms standing before a brick building. One officer and four enlisted men. Location appears to be Britain based on the architecture. Two men wear Ushanka fur hats, three wear pilotkas. The officer wears a gymnastiorka with lieutenant's shoulder boards. Handwritten text on the back reads: "England, winter 1944".

Portrait of a woman in Soviet military uniform. She wears the uniform of a medical officer with the rank of Junior Lieutenant. Medal ribbons visible but not identifiable from the photograph quality. Age approximately 28-35. The photograph was discovered in a collection of WWII-era items donated to a charity shop in Leeds in 2019.

A young man in Red Army uniform, approximately 20-25 years old. Wearing a pilotka garrison cap with a red star. No insignia of rank visible. The photograph appears to have been taken in a studio setting, possibly before deployment. The back of the photograph has a partially legible inscription in Russian, with what may be a date: "194_".

A Soviet naval rating in dark uniform with a sailor's cap (beskovyrka). The cap band appears to read a ship name but is not fully legible in the photograph. The subject is approximately 25-30 years old. Found among personal effects returned from HMS Belfast archives, suggesting he may have served alongside British naval personnel.

A Soviet military identity book (красноармейская книжка) found inside a water-damaged envelope at the Hartlepool War Museum. The document is partially legible. First name appears to begin with "Мих..." (possibly Михаил). The military unit field shows "...гвардейский..." The document dates from 1943. Cross-referencing with CWGC burial records at Hartlepool may help establish identity.

Portrait of a Soviet naval officer, possibly from the Northern Fleet convoy operations. The photograph was donated to the Imperial War Museum by a British veteran's family in 2019 and later shared with the Immortal Regiment UK project. The officer's identity remains unknown.

Photograph of a Soviet airman standing beside a Hurricane fighter aircraft, likely at an RAF base in northern England. The photo was found in a collection donated by a local history society in Newcastle. The airman may have been part of the Soviet military mission to the UK.

Group photograph of five Soviet servicemen in British-issued winter clothing, taken at what appears to be a training facility. Back of the photo has a partial inscription: "...ноябрь 1943... Шотландия" (November 1943, Scotland). Three of the five men remain unidentified.

Photograph found at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey. The image shows a young soldier in Red Army uniform, estimated early 1940s. No inscription on the reverse. Found near Section P where several Soviet graves are located.

Formal identification photograph of a Soviet prisoner of war, repatriated through the UK in 1945. The photograph was part of a batch of documents found in the National Archives at Kew. While the repatriation records exist, the individual's name was illegible on the damaged form.

Group photograph of four Soviet soldiers in winter uniforms, standing in front of a damaged building. The back of the photograph has a partial inscription in Russian: "...grad, February 1943". One of the soldiers wears a Guards badge. All appear to be young men, estimated late teens to early twenties. The photograph was found among personal effects donated to a charity shop in Birmingham in 2019.