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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Mountie_Cpl on Sunday 25 February 07 03:42 GMT (UK)
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My gg-uncle served in WWI for Britain before immigrating to Canada. I have a photograph of him in uniform and although the quality isn't fantastic, I was wondering if anyone would be able to identify which regiment he served in.
Thanks, Dan
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Sorry for the intrusion - deleted
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I'm not 100% sure he was a British soldier, but all my research says he didn't immigrate to Canada until after WWI.
His full name was Cecil Henry Griffiths. He was born 24 Nov 1896 in Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire. His parents were John Griffiths and Jessie Cotterill.
But, if you and some of the other resident experts see something I don't, then I'll start following that up.
Thanks, Dan
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Sorry for the intrusion - deleted
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I obtained his birth registry from the GRO in England and it lists his full name as Cecil Henry Griffiths. But from personal letters from family members, they called him "Harry". He died in Montreal in 1928 and is buried in the Mount Royal Cemetery. His wife was Ann Chandler. In some of the letters it talks about them living with family in England before moving to Montreal. This is why I believe the uniform to be British rather than Canadian.
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I think you intended to say he had spurs on his boots and I think your correct.
Jack J. ::) ;D :'(
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Sorry for the intrusion - deleted
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Hi :)
Just incase it is of any use to you. There are medal cards for those mentioned below.
There is a C H Griffiths in TNA who is a driver in the ASC. Reg No: T/213493.
There is also a C Griffiths, in the Dragoon Guards, who is a Lance Corporal, Reg No: 5338.
Both of the above regiments have a star-shaped cap badge. Unless he did go until the initial H, which brings up a whole host of regiments.
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before you get carried away with incorrect assumptions
British Army uniform SDs ( Service Dress) had 5 buttons
(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/29043373-M.jpg)
canadians also wore SDs as did australians etc etc
The army, especially in the early war moved on horseback, so any soldier who was involved wore spurs ( an infantry regiment for example had approx 80 horses),
he is holding a whip, which makes me think he would be driving a team of horses
i can't make out the badge, a high resolution scan of his cap might show more details but i suspect that is an Army Service Corps ( ASC) badge
chris
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Thanks Harribobs for coming in ;)
My first assumption on the badge was ASC, and his attire is that of a horseman, whether a driver or a cavalryman.
Perhaps the high resolution scan can confirm the findings.
Anne
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I am no expert on horses but doesn't that look like a rider's crop rather than a whip for a team of horses. I would think a whip for a team would have to be much longer.
Jack
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Medal card of Griffiths, Hedley Cecil
Corps: Army Service Corps Motor Transport
Regiment No: M/2 117139
Rank: Private
1914-1920 WO 372/8
henry - hedley...mmmmm ???
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the soldier in the picture is wearing an economy saving service dress,theres no pleats in his pockets,that was introduced in 1916,that rules out one of the above mentioned soldiers [5338 dragoon guards]he was a regular,and would have had pleated pockets,he looks like a ASC man to me,mack
ps,the whip is a photographers prop
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Hi All,
The only way to fully confirm the correct identity of this soldier is to get a close up of the cap badge.
Also, to correct a couple of mis-truths. The riding crop that the soldier is holding was a standard article that a mounted soldier would carry in Walking Out Dress. An infantryman carried a swagger stick.
The economy pattern jacket was issued to all arms.
However, on pure numbers alone, the chances are he is ASC.
Hope this helps
Aye
Tom McC