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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Lisajj on Saturday 25 March 17 21:20 GMT (UK)
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What information can I get from an army photo? I've got a couple of the same man, which I believe to be my great uncle Bill.
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Here's another picture with the rest of the crew - I notice some of them have crossed rifles on their sleeves.
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And another on a horse.
Any clues on the regiment? Or anything else?
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Hi, top photograph looks like a member of the East Kent Regiment.
The crossed rifles signifies a marksman qualification I believe.
Frank.
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What are his details? Full name,,,and when and where born?
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Good evening,
First two photos I would say are the Kings regt ( Liverpool) but could also be the Warwickshire regt.
There are several versions of the Kings cap badge, some the horse is on all its hooves. Some have the front legs extended out to the front.
I can't make out the mounted mans badge as yet.
John915
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Agree with Buffs, East Kent Regiment..possibly Territorial Battalion wearing 1914 pattern webbing on top photo.
Ady
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Good morning,
The Buffs cap badge is a wyvern, this has wings which would fill the space top right on the badge shown. This makes the badge look square which this one does not.
Kings cap badge is horse facing to the left looking like an "L". Just like the badge shown.
F
Warwickshires is an antelope facing left looking like an "L" also. But is slimmer but could still be this one.
John915
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John after your post I'm reconsidering it and going with Warwickshire Regiment.
Ady
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I would say the, Warwickshire Regiment (top photo - no definition of wings on cap badge) and the shoulder title is that of the size of Warwickshire Regiment, East Kent being the "Buffs" is much smaller.
The crossed Rifles indicate being a standard of marksman, although being early in the war not specified as a sniper (and not having a sight on rifle).
As for the one on the Horse, if it is the same person? it looks like he has the same cap badge?
My first thought was him having a pose on a horse or looking after one of the officers mount, but he is clearly wearing mounted bandalier, and has breeches and putties on with spurs? so clearly has a mounted roll. Any Name and details to check as he may have worked for some other unit but retained his cap badge etc.
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The man is William Frederick Smith born 18 April 1900 in Coventry. He survived the war and eventually moved to Blackpool. I may have met him when I was a child but I don't remember- he was always referred to as Uncle Bill in Blackpool. He was my Nan's eldest brother. I don't think he had any children.
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The soldier in the first picture is Royal Warwickshire - the badge is distinctive and the curved shoulder title confirms it. He is not a regular soldier but is wearing P14 leather webbing equipment which was introduced as a stop gap measure until production of the 1908 pattern canvas webbing caught up. The leather pouches and buckle are distinctive. He is not wearing territorial titles so you might consider this to be a war-raised service battalion: which ties in with the leather equipment. The leather equipment was very unpopular and soon discarded so this is a 1915/early 16 photo.
The Royal Warcs were not mounted so either he has borrowed a horse, transferred regts or that is not him in the 3rd photo. Horses were used by the infantry support companys for carts to draw eqpt so you do get photos of infantrymen with spurs and riding reaches if they were I this role.