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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: buttercup2009 on Monday 08 May 23 10:21 BST (UK)
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Can anyone identify this uniform please. James Christian Mears attested in 1902 and eventually became a Sergeant Major - James joined RGA in 1902 - 11450 or 1401129 and described as a labourer. Born in Woolwich in 1884 and died in 1939 - he became a Physical Training Instructor for the boys school in Tonbridge (though they denied his existence when I called them) I am mystified by him in what appears to be a Scottish uniform with a date of 1906! His death notification in the newspaper
“Tonbridge Pysical Training Instructor
We regret to record the death, which occurred suddenly on Friday of Sergeant Major James Christian Mears of 9 Thorpe Ave Tonbridge. Mr Mears who was a physical training and gym instructor at Tonbridge School had been playing in a Rugby match for the staff against the boys and at the end of the game he collapsed in the pavilion and died. He was extremely popular and respected by the staff and boys at Tonbridge School and also to a large circle of aquaintances in the town and his death will be a shock to them all. Mr Mears was 55 years of age. He had been at Tonbridge School for ten years coming from Borden Grammer School Sittingbourne. Prior to that he had been in the Arny serving with the Royal Artillery for 21 years. He was in China when the last war broke out and served in France from 1916 until 1919. He retired with the Rank of Warrant Officer. He took a keen interest in the boys Club in Shipbourne Road and last year instructed them in physical training and would have done so again this winter. He was also a Drill Instructor at Hilden Oak School. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon preceded by a service at the Tonbridge School Chapel”
Sevenoaks Cronicle & Kentish Advetiser 29th December 1939;
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Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders & an L/Cpl.
He appears to have 3 medals. It's difficult to see
how a man who has only been serving for 4 years
could earn 3 medals in that time.
It may be he's been misidentified or it's another
James Christian Mears.
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Thank you Jim much appreciated - does it makes any sense to you that he was in this regiment? :)
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Typically a photo taken post 1902 with medals would
indicate they are the Queens & Kings SA medals.
The 1st. Btn. A & SH were in S. Africa for the duration
of the Boer War.
This man also has the crossed muskets of a marksman.
This man isn't RA.
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OK thank you something definitely odd here and the probability that this is not who I've been led to believe it is is dawning. Another mystery! Many thanks ;)
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Your James Mears served in 381 Siege Bty. RGA.
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The LCl has good conduct chevrons for years of service so is not your man.