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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: blueskyehelen on Sunday 30 September 18 15:03 BST (UK)
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Photo was found in an Australian photo album and very intrigued what army dress was this and what war would he have been fighting in? Foreign Legion?
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Could well be officer Australian Army, Boer war period. the Sam Browne belt looks familiar. I'll keep looking.
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He's wearing interesting buttons. First thing I noticed was his "Hercule Poirot" moustache with waxed ends.
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Could well be officer Australian Army, Boer war period. the Sam Browne belt looks familiar. I'll keep looking.
Thankyou for that info Regorian. His hat threw me as I am so used to seeing the Australian army slouch hat that I was wondering if this was a photo of an overseas relative. Wondering now if you can research family members who fought in the Boer War. Have to investigate the Aust. War Memorial.
He's wearing interesting buttons. First thing I noticed was his "Hercule Poirot" moustache with waxed ends.
Thankyou Maiden Stone. Yes isn't his moustache something!!! However his face looks quite young so am thinking late teens early 20's?
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Thankyou Maiden Stone. Yes isn't his moustache something!!! However his face looks quite young so am thinking late teens early 20's?
I agree he looks young. Moustache may be to give him maturity. That and eyebrows seem darker than hair on his head. He was a good-looking lad. I'd prefer him without moustache though.
A hat like that wasn't practical for fighting; it would have fallen off.
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Some quick google searches just now have ruled out the Boer War. Apparently the slouch hat was worn even back then.
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Do not rule out para-military or civil (eg. Police)
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This would not be a field uniform. It's full dress apart from the pill box hat that was worn in barracks or walking out. In widespread use in British and Imperial armies of the time.
The Australian Army had many units and many super uniforms.
Attached is NSW Mounted Police about the same time.
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I did some Googling this afternoon and found a photo with 6 men wearing the exact same uniform. They were from the South Australian Mounted Rifles 1897. I have now emailed the SA Military Museum in the hope they can confirm it is the Mounted Rifle unit or another.
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Very good Helen. have you got the Link, love to look. Officer I attached was my grandmothers half brother, same father, different mother (died in childbirth 1866). His name was John Saunders of Uffington, Berks (now Oxon) 1859 to 1931. I should have posted a slightly later pic. as Superintendant of NSW Mounted Police. They were para military and so armed. John visited England in retirement and there were newspaper reports. I must ask the family in Australia whether they have the sabre.