Richard Delingpole

31. Interpreter/Liasion Officer

French. 1917

The silver tapes on his cuff denote that this man is Adjutant, and the uniform is an Interprète Militaire de Liaison. A trainee interpreter would be a corporal and the minimum rank for a fully qualified one would be sergeant.

They would be assigned to the British Staff at various levels (e.g. as part of a regimental HQ) for communication with both the French military and the locals (e.g. arranging food purchasing, accommodation of officers/soldiers and stabling of horses etc.).

The uniform is British other than the kepi, which has the rank braid around the top. On the blue collar tab which denotes a particular branch, is a metal Sphinx head badge, signifying interpreter.

Richard Delingpole