As I alluded to in post #6 - it does look like a guardroom with the open Hatch/Window and what is possibly the Duty Dog with the Blancoed Belt standing inside.

The Pathfinders badge brings back instant memories of Thorney Island Sgts' Mess in mid 50s - Lots in evidence plus quite a few of McIndoe's 'Guinea Pigs'. Regarded in awe by we 'Sprogs' and, unsurprisingly, tended to remain separated from those of us who hadn't shared their experiences. Quite a number of them were ex-617 Sqdn and bushy moustaches were common.

David hi,
Daft question but are their any clues on the reverse of the photograph?
Have also asked a friend at the PFF Museum to see if he can help with the guy with the Pathfinder Badge. I'll let you know....

Regards,

BL

Thank you all for your help with this photograph. I had foolishly discounted Silverstone because although Gordon was there from 20/6/45 the trees would have been in leaf. However a reapaisal of Gordon's Logbook shows that a month and a half after finishing his tour he spent a few weeks at Silverstone on an Instructors Course - Unit GIF Silverstone. What does GIF stand for?
That was in February 14/2/45 to 2/3/45 when flowers can be out and trees may not have their leaves. So it is very likely (definately) to be Silverstone and I assume that they are all instructors who have passed the course and will now be free to instruct. I wonder how many survived the 'resting' stage of their careers. Gordon got away with "Flaps u/s 1st night flapless Landing. Very Dicy" on a Wellington X and one engine failure, also on a Wellinton X.

So thank You Garth!

Two possibilities for the abbreviation GIF.

The first is the Glider Instructors Flight. However, I can find no record of that unit ever being located at Silverstone.

The other possibility is No.92 Group Instructors Course/School/Flight. This unit was at Silverstone from 15/3/44 until 92 Gp disbanded in mid-1945.

Hope that helps.

Helps a lot - almost certainly it's a photograph of the successful aircrew after a Group Instructors Flight course. Thank you lauriebe

Most welcome David.