Can anyone identify this 1940s VIP

January 22, 2016 11:35 AM

I would appreciate any help in identifying the man in the white hat inspecting troops (RAF) in Egypt c.1942/3. In other photographs taken on the same day he is seen holding a horsehair fly swat and has a binocular case over his shoulder. He must have been either a visiting Head of State, politician, diplomat or high profile entertainer. Thanks in advance.
posted by Petromyzon to Society & Culture (7 answers total)

Wild guess, but maybe Ralph Reader?
posted by thetortoise at 12:07 PM on January 22, 2016

Any chance we can see the other pictures?
posted by blue_wardrobe at 12:44 PM on January 22, 2016

Thanks for the Ralph Reader suggestion, sounds plausible and I am looking into it. Unfortunately the other photos are less clear or the subject is further away - this one is the best hope for an ID.
posted by Petromyzon at 1:07 PM on January 22, 2016

Maybe a young Robert Oppenheimer.
posted by Oyéah at 1:27 PM on January 22, 2016

Sir Archibald Sinclair, UK Minister of Air 1940-1945.
Here's a picture of him with the same hat on!
posted by blue_wardrobe at 1:53 PM on January 22, 2016

Wikipedia on Archibald Sinclair
posted by mosk at 2:10 PM on January 22, 2016

Back of the net!!!! Thank's a lot 'blue_wardrobe' - there's no disputing that ID. Thanks to 'mosk' too. I'm very pleased you have solved the mystery - it was driving me mad.
posted by Petromyzon at 2:18 PM on January 22, 2016