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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Sheila M on Tuesday 10 November 09 20:15 GMT (UK)

Title: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: Sheila M on Tuesday 10 November 09 20:15 GMT (UK)

This rather handsome young man is a relative of one of my work colleagues.  She is not sure what branch of the army he was in so brought the photograph to work to see if I knew.

I think he's Army Service Corps and judging from the spurs, riding breeches, riding crop and bandolier I suspect he had something to do with horses.   However, I'm puzzled by the arm bands and the insignia on his left arm.  Does anyone have any idea what they signify?

Title: Re: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: ainslie on Tuesday 10 November 09 20:46 GMT (UK)

The cap badge could be Royal Engineers, who in WW1 included Signals.  If the letters within the wreath are GR, it will be Royal Engineers.  If they are ASC you are right!  I cannot read it clearly enough.
The badge on the forearm is a signaller's and the armband [or brassard] shows he was a dispatch rider.  The upper arm badge may be a formation (division etc) sign.
As you say, the bandolier, breeches, spurs etc add up to mounted duties.
If you have the surname and initials or first name, they should show up on the National Archives documents online site - I cannot give the ref at present, or via Ancestry.

Title: Re: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: Sheila M on Tuesday 10 November 09 21:09 GMT (UK)

Thanks ainslie.   I've had a play around with the photograph but I can't get the cap badge any clearer.  We believe it was Samuel Hoult from Hilton in Derbyshire but I can't find any records for him in Ancestry.

Title: Re: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: ainslie on Tuesday 10 November 09 23:02 GMT (UK)

Ain't that just typical - I put Samuel Hoult into the Nat.  Arch search for medal cards and up came three including a sapper and an ASC man!
It might be worth throwing 2 in their direction, as you might get both one the same download, and there might be some detail of address  on a card.

Title: Re: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: forester on Tuesday 10 November 09 23:19 GMT (UK)

Hello Sheila,

My guess is Divisional Signals, Royal Engineers. I can't place which division, but the emblem within the patch looks like Mercury, which became the centre figure of the Signals Corps badge, although that was not until 1920.

The only strange thing is that the brassard is normally white at the top and blue beneath, in all the photos I have seen.

There are 9 medal index cards for various Hoults in the Royal Engineers showing up on Ancestry.

Phil

Title: Re: Any ideas about this uniform?
Post by: maidmarianoops on Tuesday 10 November 09 23:55 GMT (UK)

hows this one
sylvia