Hi,

Im currently serving in the Royal Marines and am doing a lecture on the history of tattooing and need to put some military references in there. Specifically Im on the look out for any stories relating to tattoos used by the military or any stories relating to Royal Marines getting tattooed. Stuff like guys getting their Service Number and Blood group tattooed before the Falklands war, tattoos used to mark deserters in the early part of the 20th Century and even any stories of tattoos done by servicemen whilst at sea in the Navy would be a great help.

And in case anyone was wondering, I have been tattooed 6 times and am just waiting for the inspiration for my next one!!

Many thanks,

Sharpy

Hello Sharpy,

Dave Woods has a tattoo studio in Aldershot, and served in the Falklands War.

I have just contacted him and he is fine with you getting in touch and will be able to help with your research.

info(at)quintessencetattoos.co.uk

http://www.quintessencetattoos.co.uk/

Best regards

Lionel

Hi,

Cheers for that! I’ve just sent him an email! If anyone has any info or stories about tattoos involving the Forces I’d be really grateful, there’s loads of stuff on the internet about the US forces tattoo culture but not much about the UK. But I have found some interesting stuff about deserters and people who were unfit for service being tattooed in the late 1800’s and even up until the First World War. But the Falklands link is a great one as I know a lot of the older guys in the Marines had their Service Number and Blood Group as a first tattoo to see if they could handle the pain!! And a lot of guys I know were tattooed by the late “Painless” Jeff Baker and many still have his handywork on disply.

Sharpy

you could always try contacting herbert hoffman, if i remember hearing right, he was one of the only tattooers left working at the time of WW2, in germany, he had to go underground, but i bet he could tell you a few stories, maybe he tattooed a stray odd brit in those times, you never know, lol

Hi Sharpy,
I served in the Royal Navy from 1986-94 and am now tattooing in Wiltshire.
If I can help at all it would be my pleasure.

All the best Woodie

Hi Sharpy…If you go onto the new noticeboard - I’ve just put a small piece up about body marking in the army as punishment - Now I know you are looking at British military history…But the members of the Waffen SS (German) were also tattooed in the armpit - I hope this helps in some way mate.

Hi guys, thanks for all the responses! Woodie Ill pm you in a minute!! And Paul thanks for that but I’d already found out about the SS story and Ill look at your piece on the noticeboard but I think I know about that one too. But every bit of information helps guys, thanks again!

i have a picture of a tattoong device used for marking deserters during the war
i took the picture at a military museum in dorset
i’ll find it and post

sorry its a little bit earlier than the war but its still intresting

Thanks for that!! I’d already found out about this from the Australian Archives as it was documented that they got tattooed with it during WW1 too but the picture I found was no where near as good as this!!

I was Tattooed in Aldershot back in the late 70’s and early 80’s.
among other things, I had my Army number below a Bulldog.
At the time there was 2 tattoo artists operating in the town.
One of the Scuse Family ( I think it was Bill) operated from a shop at the rear of an amusement arcade at the top of the High Street.
And another Artist operated at the other end of the High Street.
His Wife sometimes did the colouring in for him.
This was the Guy that we used to go to.
Can anyone tell me more about him?, He was a very good artist, and was a lot cheaper than the other Guy
Thats probably why he was popular with the Squaddies!
At the time the Para’s depot was in the town, so a lot of his “flash” was Para themed.
I visited Aldershot again recently, and its all changed.
I couldn’t find where his shop used to be, I think it was next to a Pub.
If anyone remembers Him, please let me know.
Thanks