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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 14:57 BST (UK)

Title: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 14:57 BST (UK)

I am trying to help someone with some military history and all I have is a name of James Ernest Jones and this poor photograph and an idea that he served in the Boer War.

So to start with can anyone help by identifying this uniform?

Thank you

Ian

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Crumblie on Thursday 31 March 22 15:06 BST (UK)

Judging by the bayonet I would say the rifle is a Lee Metford so Boar War era. No idea on uniform but I will keep looking.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Crumblie on Thursday 31 March 22 15:10 BST (UK)

Black Watch perhaps.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:10 BST (UK)

Thank you. I thought that was a Martini Henry bayonet?

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:12 BST (UK)

Thank you again. I wondered about the Black Watch, but wasn't sure about the sporran.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:14 BST (UK)

Still not sure about either. I'm more inclined to think Martini Henry bayonet rather than a Lee Metford.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Crumblie on Thursday 31 March 22 15:22 BST (UK)

You could be right about the bayonet, I would certainly not want to be on the wrong end of it.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: ShaunJ on Thursday 31 March 22 15:26 BST (UK)

Where and when was he born ?

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:48 BST (UK)

As I said, I only have his name, so I'm trying to establish a regiment and go from there.

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: raonull4 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:55 BST (UK)

Hi
its possibly the 91st regiment of foot
the argyllshire highlanders formed in 1881

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 15:58 BST (UK)

Thank you. May I ask do you think that from the sporran or something else?

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: raonull4 on Thursday 31 March 22 16:37 BST (UK)

Hi
sporran and the tunic pics not clear enough to identify the tartan

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 17:37 BST (UK)

Thank you very much everyone

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: T1 on Thursday 31 March 22 18:08 BST (UK)

Hi

Everything about this photo is compatible with the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). (1) The cluster of short black tails on the sporran resembles only the 5 tails worn by the Black Watch; (2) the feather 'hackle' on the bonnet is not white but dark, so can only match the red hackle of the Black Watch (3) dark hose tops must be the red and black pattern worn by the Black Watch (4) the blurred collar badge is the right shape for the Black Watch.

So this is either the uniform of the Black Watch, or a volunteer, militia or colonial uniform closely modelled on the Black Watch.

The rifle is a Martini, os if he's in the UK the photo is probably before the mid 1890s - if its a colonial unit based on the Black Watch it could be as late as 1900.

T

Title: Re: Help identifying this uniform
Post by: Ians1900 on Thursday 31 March 22 18:34 BST (UK)

Thank you very much indeed. I'm happy to go with that, as I've just been updated with a family story where it was believed thatit he served in the Boer War with the Black Watch and that he was born in Tranmere, Cheshire in 1870. Now I can see if I can find his service record.

Great timing. Thank you.