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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Flakdodger on Monday 20 December 10 21:45 GMT (UK)
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Hi folks,
This photo has surfaced and caused confusion in our wider family as to who is depicted.
Coldstreamer or Artilleryman?
We have two candidates:
Theophilus MASON born 1885 Newington, London. Drummer 1614 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. 1911 census is at Aldershot.
CWGC gives DOD as 01/02/15.
Robert ALLEN born 1886 Hackney, London. Driver 51336 U Battery Royal Horse Artillery.
1911 census is detached from Lucknow to Landour (India)
Another photo of what appears to be this gentleman shows him in khaki with 2 Good Conduct stripes. Artillery cap badge.
There is no money riding on this, but it would be useful to have wider opinion.
In addition, can this photo be dated?
A supplementary question is what would be the battlefield duties of a Drummer?
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Has to be Royal Horse Artillery - he's wearing spurs!
I don't think the Coldstream Guards have ever worn a uniform quite like this one.
Nell
PS The cap badge is also RHA.
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Hello Nell,
thanks very much for your view - as I say, there was no money riding on it!
Dave
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Hello mate...
Full dress uniform of Royal Horse Artillery...Sans busby... ;)
Unfortunately, the generic RA badge does not differentiate betwixt the different arms of the Regt,.
Apart from the spurs, he also has a large riding crop!
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Full marks for smart turn-out, apart from the hanky showing in his sleeve!
A
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Full marks for smart turn-out, apart from the hanky showing in his sleeve!
A
Ahhhh the sign of a soldier...this is of course the way that Sherlock Holmes upon first meeting Dr Watson identified him as having been in the military!
"You'll never pass as a pure bred civilian as long as you keep that habit of carrying your handkerchief in your sleeve" " The Crooked Man"
Having no pockets on a uniform it was de rigeur for all ranks to carry a hankie in this way!
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Good citation! But surely a smart soldier, especially RHA, should have tucked it up before parading for the camera.
I speak as one who was bawled out by the great RSM Brittain, but not for the same offence.
Best wishes
A
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http://www.paoyeomanry.co.uk/LY4.htm
hope this helps
sylvia
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Sylvia
Splendid site and pics! However, the cap badge on the original photo is certainly Royal Artillery, and the Royal Horse Artillery's full dress is similar to the Hussars' uniform.
A
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With the exception of the cap, I was wearing that same uniform on occasions in1948/9
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Thank you all for an informative and amusing thread. I hope now that my rellies have accepted that this is not their Great Grandad.
Just diverting a moment to the Coldstreamer, what would have been a Drummer's battlefield duties?
I assume the photo is pre-1914, but just how "pre-1914"?
Does the crumpling of the hankie provide any clues :D
Fascinating that you, r973g, were wearing the same uniform in 1948/49.
Seasons greetings to you all.
Dave
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Thank you all for an informative and amusing thread. I hope now that my rellies have accepted that this is not their Great Grandad.
Educate and entertain!! ;D
Just diverting a moment to the Coldstreamer, what would have been a Drummer's battlefield duties?
A drummer apres the turn of the last century would have been an infantryman/gunner/driver etc. By WW2 and thereafter, they usually became the SF (sustained fire) platoon, and carried medium/heavy machine guns. They are "hobbyists" and not full time and properly trained musicians like the Regt Band
I assume the photo is pre-1914, but just how "pre-1914"?
Turn of the 19th/20th century...1904 ish
Does the crumpling of the hankie provide any clues :D
In a word...no! ;)
Fascinating that you, r973g, were wearing the same uniform in 1948/49.
Seasons greetings to you all.
And to you!
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I thought all you folks might like to see the later photo of Robert Mason, that I referred to.
Aged about 30 and somewhat less ceremonial looking. He has filled out too - a family trait.
Dave