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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Mardall on Tuesday 12 February 13 11:59 GMT (UK)
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Please can anyone help me with identifying anything about this young man and his uniform? I may then be able to work out who he is. I think the photograph was taken in England at the outbreak of WW1. Thank you.
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It's really too blurry an image to get a good idea of the cap-badge: it looks like it could be either crossed swords or crossed keys on the badge, but it really needs to be sharper image.
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As jrchdsimms points out there is very little detail in the badge, however in my opinion the general outline has the shape of a shield with perhaps a scroll under. The only British Army cap badge of ww1 that has a similar look and outline is the Army Ordnance Corps badge pre 1919. If it was Army Ordnance Corps it would have 3 cannonballs along the top and 3 cannon under with a 3 part scroll with "Army Ordnance Corps" on it,
The Canadian Army Ordnance Corps badge can be ruled out as it was surmounted by a beaver.
James
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Thank you very much indeed for your help. I have zoomed in on the photo and this is as close as I can get to the detail of the cap badge. Could it possibly be the Mechanical Transport Section, Army Service Corps in November 1914 by any chance?
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Don't think it is Army Service Corps, that is a 7 pointed star surmounted by a crown from Victoria's reign up to Queen Elizabeth II, Then became Royal Corps of Transport.
Most transport in 1914 was horsedrawn, early motor transport was London omnibuses requisitioned for troop movements
James
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Any possible names? Or where he was from? He looks more like a territorial than a regular and it could be any number of minor units or officer training corps.
Ady
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He looks very young doesn't he?
Milly
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Does the stick he's holding mean anything?
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Could it be a college regiment, I'm thinking...? All I can make out is a shield, with no royal crown, with what looks like crossed staffs or a saltire? Or an (inverted) chevron.
This forum may be able to help you further:
http://www.britishbadgeforum.com
That stick he has is his 'walking-out cane' - I believe it means he's signed up.
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This is unusual. If he's just joined up - why is the right-hand front rim of his cap worn?
Is there a name or a county associated with this gentleman?
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Ady is correct is his assumption that this chap could be a Territorrial.
The general mish mash of 03 and 14 pattern equipment testifies to this....Local Territorial units were never up to date and the local associations made do with what they had/could get hold of. It if wasnt for his 1914 ptn snake belt, I would put him pre war...he also has the 1903ptn haversack slung over his right shoulder and can be seen on his left hip. Sadly...He didnt think of showing us what all the other straps were for!!
I dont think he is that young actually...His puttees are wound in infantry fashion, no he is not a mounted Tom. Pre 1916....Post 1914.
The badge has a fusilier look to me... ;)
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Thank you very much for all your help and very informed responses. Could he possibly be the young Col. James Henry Thrale Mardall born 7th November 1899, educated Aldenham School, Herts. and RMC Sandhurst, gazetted Royal Fusiliers 20th Dec 1918, Capt 1929, Major 1938, Lt-Col 1940, Col. 1942. Retired 6th Aug 1948.
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Yes it could be Aldenham OTC cap badge
Ady
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Is this any help ....?
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