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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: LizStewart on Saturday 29 April 06 20:58 BST (UK)
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This picture of my great grandfather (please excuse condition) was taken about 1905. To my knowledge he was not in the army, as on all records I have for him he was listed as a Blacksmith's Strike. He married in 1900 and was at home in Sheffield in the 1901 census. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
With thanks
Liz
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Hi Liz.
It looks very Army. Although very difficult to see, the medal ribbon may be something like the India General Service Medal 1908 - 1935, or the General Service Medal 1918 - 1962.
Have you got any other photos of him in the uniform?
Thudders
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Hi Thudders,
Thanks very much for such a speedy reply to my post. Unfortunately it is the only print I have. My great grandfather (James Jermy) died in 1908 in the Sheffield Union Hospital, so if it is army, I'm now thinking perhaps he served in the (second) Boer War?, although he was home 1900 (marriage) and 1901 (census).
Thanks again
Liz
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Hi Liz
You have a very lovely photo there, if you post it on the Photo Restoration board, the peeps there may be able to clean it up for you.
But from a Military point of view I think he is an Army, prob. Lance Coporal, but it is his hands that interest me....they look like he either has gloves on (not part of the uniform) or they are bandaged.
Do you know anything, any little family stories about him anything that might help?
Wendi
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That's very possible Liz.
Check this link out - http://www.stephen-stratford.co.uk/boer_war.htm especially the picture of the medal.
What's your great grandfather's full name? Perhaps he appears on the Boer War medal roll?
Thudders
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Dear Wendi and Thudders,
Thanks very much for your posts. I've had a quick look at your link, Thudders, and will go back for a better look tomorrow. Thanks for that. Wendi- thanks for the suggestion re the photo restoration, will definitely look into that. Yes, the left hand puzzled me too, but think it is just his daughter's dress. His name was James Jermy born Sheffield 1876. I really feel sad about him as he is the "black sheep" of the family. We were led to believe that he died falling off a tram drunk. My great nan remarried, and my great aunt from this union was my main source of information. Her mother must have told her some stories! When I started getting into family history, I sent off for his death certificate and found he had died of Leucaemia, so why he had been maligned is a mystery (in fact his father HAD died falling down some pub stairs drunk!, so perhaps an element of truth, just the wrong generation).
Anyway, thanks again. It certainly gives me some new avenues to explore.
Kind regards
Liz
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Hi Liz,
It's funny how often you get those stories skiping generations. (My Great Aunt Laura was blamed for so much, bless her :D )
Thudders is right about that medal, as he is wearing it, it has to be recorded somewhere, worth chasing up.
Wendi
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Hi Liz!
There's 4 James Jermy's in the medal cards - it's possible he fought in the Boer War and WW1 !! you might want to take a look !!
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0et/
Annie :) :) :)
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I'm still doing a bit of digging, but suggest that a Blacksmith would be more use to the Army Veterinary Corps.
I think that would be my first choice!
Good find Annie.
Thudders
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Hi guys,
Thanks for all you are doing. I'm afraid I omitted an important fact. He died in 1908, so didn't serve in WW1. I'm very grateful for all the links etc however. Need to get my head out of the shed when I post I think, hope I didn't waste your time Annie. Thanks again.
Liz :-[
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No problem Liz. All part of the challenge!
I'm having difficulty finding James Jermy, born 1876, living in Sheffield when looking on the 1901 Census. Where did you get your information from? How good is my eyesight?!! What is James' wife's name?
Do you have a copy of his marriage and death certificates? If so, what information do they contain? It's still possible that he could have been in the Boer War.
The more information we have, the more we may be able to find out for you.
Thanks,
Thudders
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Hi again Liz,
on this website: http://hometown.aol.co.uk/kevinasplin/home.html , if you have a look at the alphbetical link of surnames at para 3 you will see this entry:
4149 Corporal Shoeing Smith Jermy G.R. 7th Dragoon Guards
I know the initials are G.R., but could this be a brother? Are you sure that the photo is of your great grandfather? Could it be a brother?
Thudders
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This isn't a British site - but there is loads of good background information on here !!
http://www.rootschat.com/links/0e3/
I'm still lookin' !!
Annie :) :)
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Hi Liz !!
Seems to me - this may very well be your family !! .... what do you think ??
Scroll down to the Northern Jermy's ......
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/tripartite/jermy-larnerfamily.htm
Annie :)
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Hi there,
Thanks for all the looking you are doing for me. Thudders- ancestry have transcribed James and Amy E (nee Wharram) as Terney. Ref: RG 13/4335 folio 109 page 28. He did have siblings, but none with the initials G.R. - what a brilliant website though, one I'm sure I'm going to look at a lot. I have birth and death certificates for James, but now must get hold of the marriage cert.
Annie- thanks for the link. It is indeed the right family, quite a lot of research has gone into the Jermy name, and the fascinating murder story they became involved in.
I must just say how impressed and grateful I am for the involvement and interest shown by the forum members. It is really appreciated.
With thanks
Liz
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This picture of my great grandfather (please excuse condition) was taken about 1905. To my knowledge he was not in the army, as on all records I have for him he was listed as a Blacksmith's Strike. He married in 1900 and was at home in Sheffield in the 1901 census. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.
With thanks
Liz
Hi Liz !
Regarding your original question .. you wanted to know if the man in the photo was wearing an Army uniform - now you know he is - what else would you like to find out about James ? - you obviously know a lot already - are you questioning if this is really him or do you know for sure ?
Tell us what you're really looking for - and we'll do our best to help !!
Annie :) :)
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Hello Annie,
I guess what I really want to do is some "padding" of James Jermy's life. I only recently got the photo in question, and it is the one and only one I have of him. As stated previously, he was very much disliked by all that side of the family I came in contact with - we moved to South Africa when I was 13, so had no further contact until we came back to the UK 10 years ago. Of course now the relatives I did know have passed on, so I was hoping that if I could establish his uniform, it would give me avenues to follow (eg looking for records at TNA).
Thanks again for your help
Liz