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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 29 June 11 10:49 BST (UK)

Title: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 29 June 11 10:49 BST (UK)
Hello everyone.  Just joined  ;D.  I wonder if anyone has any clues about this photo. It's a studio photo on a postcard.  There were family links to the railway (the brother was an assistant railway signalman in 1911).  The family (Burfield) lived in York but I think the photo was taken in Darlington so possibly taken after the marriage and move to Darlington in 1918.

Thank you!
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: ainslie on Wednesday 29 June 11 10:55 BST (UK)
St John Ambulance Brigade?
A
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 29 June 11 10:58 BST (UK)
That's an idea, thanks! Is the photo supposed to be that massive?
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Winterbloom21 on Wednesday 29 June 11 10:59 BST (UK)
What an interesting photo.    Can you focus a bit closer on the collar in order to see the insignia?   It does look vaguely like a railway sign of some kind.     Whatever it is, it involves him carrying something small, judging by the pouch.   Tickets?   Telegrams?
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Winterbloom21 on Wednesday 29 June 11 11:06 BST (UK)
If you look at other pictures of telegraph boys (as I just have) I think you'll see quite a similarity.
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 29 June 11 11:08 BST (UK)
You can see examples of St John Ambulance uniforms at different periods at http://www.rootschat.com/links/0e02/

Also http://www.oucs.ox.ac.uk/ww1lit/gwa/item/6948?CISOBOX=1&REC=6
Stan
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 29 June 11 11:20 BST (UK)
Thanks Stanmapstone.  I've just found a photo of St. John Ambulance in Newcastle 1918-1920 and it looks similar too.  http://www.search.staffspasttrack.org.uk/engine/resource/default.asp?resource=4418

It does look very like a telegraph boy as well.  Thanks for that.  The only difference I can see is that they have a number on their collar, and this one is an insignia.

Haven't been able to zoom in any further though.  If it is a railway insignia, then the photo is more likely to be his brother rather than my grandfather.

Does anyone have any idea as to the date?

Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: ainslie on Wednesday 29 June 11 12:26 BST (UK)
That sort of St JAB uniform was standard for generations!  GPO telegraph boys wore a different sort of cap - more of a pillbox shape, with peak, and no white trimmings. 
St JAB members were/are volunteers in their spare time, so he could have been employed by a railway company.
A
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 29 June 11 13:15 BST (UK)
Telegraph Messenger   http://www.rootschat.com/links/0e05/
Messenger Boy http://www.rootschat.com/links/0e06/

Stan
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 29 June 11 14:45 BST (UK)
It's looking like St. John's ambulance then.  Thanks everyone.  Still don't know if it's my grandfather or his brother but I'm a bit further on!
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Mothballs39 on Wednesday 14 September 11 21:46 BST (UK)
In case anyone is interested, I now have confirmation that this is indeed my grandfather wearing his St. John ambulance uniform.  Many thanks for your help.  ;D
Title: Re: Uniform identification, approx early 1920s
Post by: Winterbloom21 on Thursday 15 September 11 17:30 BST (UK)
It's always good to have these things confirmed!   Thanks for letting us know, Mothballs.