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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: The-AC-Project on Sunday 15 August 10 21:37 BST (UK)
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Searching some old photo's and as normal no names to identify them at all, I know they are close relatives by the fact of where they were stored.
I believe, and must stress it is a guess at this stage that this could be one Herbert Reynolds 1881 to 1933, I know he served as a Gunner in the RGA during the First World War. Therefore my Great Grandfather who I was pleased to research.
Would anyone be able to identify the Regiment from the uniform, the spurs on the boots are a bit confusing !
I have tried to zoom in on the Cap Badge but can not seem to bring it into focus very clearly
Any help would be gratefully received
Al
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It is of course the Royal Artillery - that is a a Regiment or strictly speaking a Corps. At that time it had divisions as well of the Royal Horse Artillery, light mobile field guns, and the Royal Garrison Artillery. Normal artillery bombardiers might be trained to handle horses or mules as well as the RHA. Either would be issued with sours as a sign of those duties.
His records, if unburnt, would tell you more and possibly his medal card.
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There is more than one Herbert Reynolds in the WWI documents that survive. I see one from Bradford, wife Sarah, children Olive Elizabeth and Herbert Harold. He was in the RGA. But there are others.
What other information do you have?
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Thanks for that brill info, it could be him then.
I gleaned his reg number from the absent voters list of wakefield 1918, from there got his Medal Card which has little info, nothing on the reverse at all, his wife was one Ellen Knowles.
How could i glean any further info from his time in war
Once again many thanks
AL
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Apologies his army number 161939 Gunner RGA
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If that is our man he has a very complex military history. Not time for it all right now.
Is it the right man - wife Sarah Elizabeth Darvilt? You say Ellen Knowles!
If so he went into the RA and ended up in the Royal Engineers.
Address on enlistment 10 Burnwelle Thackley, Bradford and that changed as he was demobilised to Coldharbour Farm, Wibsey.
Please confirm this is he and I will send some more data tonight.
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Seems not him I am afraid, sorry if I misled you I meant seems like him because of the uniform
My Great Grandfather
Born 16th Sept 1881, in Stanly Wakefield, mother Annie Reynolds(Mortimer), Father Richard Reynolds.
1891 Census resident at 10 Pentonville, Stanley Cum Wrenthorpe, Yorkshire,
1901 Census resident at 184 Davy Street, Wakefield, Yorkshire, England living with parents and siblings a Stone Mason by trade.
1902 Married in Scarborough to Ellen Knowles.
Children
Robert 1903
Nellie 1905
Harry 1907
Margret 1909
1911 Census resident at 13 Davy St Eastmoor Road, Wakefield a Stone mason by trade.
I next pick him up in the absent voters list of 1918, where he is absent from 13 Davy St Eastmoor Road, Wakefield. this as I say gave me his Army number
I next have his passing on the 2ND Jan 1933 at 5 Castle Avenue. Wakefield at the age of 51
Unfortunately I have nothing of his war time exploits, ( any details would be great ) but the more I look at the photo I think it is that of a younger man than Herbert would have been at the outbreak of War as he would have been in his Early 30's and I dare say the Stone Mason trade would have aged him.
The info on the spurs was great, I had forgot that the main way of transport would have been the horse.
Any further info would be great
Thanks for taking the time
Al
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His Medal Card and only info I have.
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Quite right - this is a young man of 18 to 21 years.
Royal Garrison Artillery will be right as his medal card shows he never served overseas.
The back drop to the photo looks vaguely Dutch but I think it may be the old windmill at Rye. That idea may not be sound as the Rye fort has been disused since about 1600 AD so some other windmill. But this is obviously another man.
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I am afraid that your Herbert Reynolds was amongst the burnt records so we will not find out anything of his military service.
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Thanks for looking, I do really appreciate it, a long sit down and long think on this one.
Such a shame that the records were burnt.
If I may, how do you know that he did not serve overseas, is that down to the medal numbers which are alien to me
Al
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Yes, if he had served overseas there would have been Stars, medals, reflecting that.
You can easily google the list of WW1 British medals and have the fun of finding those out for yourself.
My own grandfather was killed in France and his are also amongst the burnt records so I can understand your frustration.
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Once again thanks and I will enjoy searching that out
Thanks
Al