Photo of Great Grandfather

[ludovica]

From The Great War Forum by "Hoplophile"

There is no shame in being confused by the nomenclature of the various colonial and African contingents of the French Army.  Among many other paradoxes (such as the battalions of zouaves raised in Paris), there were two whole divisions with 'Moroccan' in their titles, as well as a famous 'Moroccan' regiment (the Régiment d'Infanterie Coloniale du Maroc) that didn't have a single subject of the Sultan of Morocco in their ranks.

That said, the man in question seems to be an officer of one of the two 'Moroccan' units that were, for the most part, composed of Moroccans, the
 composite regiments of Moroccan Rifles (régiments de marche de tirailleurs marocains).  Whether he belonged to the first (1ère RMTM) or second (2ème RMTM) regiment can be determined by the colours of the fourragère he wears.  If they are those of the Military Medal (médaille militaire), then he served with the 1st Regiment of Moroccan Rifles.  If they are those of the Cross of War (croix de guerre), he served with the 2nd Regiment of Moroccan Rifles.

[johnlauper]

Thanks to everyone for their response to my enquiry and for going to such trouble to find out the right colours of the uniform.

I've got my great grandfather's French military record and I'm now beginning to wonder whether the picture is actually of him at all (although he did definitely take part in WW1) as there is no mention of him serving in Morocco and I think that the chap in the picture is of a higher rank than my great grandfather reached.

Out of interest here is another picture of the same chap in a slightly different uniform (from a cavalry unit?).

Thanks again

John

[ludovica]

QUOTE(Hoplophile @ Sep 26 2007, 11:13 PM)
Where the application of colour to black and white pictures is concerned, I must confess that I am entirely bereft of the 'Ted Turner touch'.

That said, I would suspect that the coat would have been khaki, with the exact shade left to the discretion of the officer and his tailor. (The officers who served with the tirailleurs marocains tended to be somewhat inventive when it came to the details of their uniforms.)

The most famous of the French officers who served with the tirailleurs marocains during World War I was Alphonse Juin, who commanded Free French forces in Italy in World War II. Thus, biographies of Juin, as well as the French equivalent of the National Portrait Gallery, might be a good place to look.

[Niksmum]

I know you didn't ask for a clean up but I was bored so did one for you..hope you don't mind

Irene

[Woodentop50]

Well done , to Ludovica and Hoplophile , for gleaning all the information , for the unknown warrior !


                                                                                                                                      Jim

[mudge]

Hi John
Here are 2 straightforward cleanups of the original iomage from me
Mudge

[ukpapasmurf]

Hi John

Considering I coloured the first, I thought I should do the second too 

Smurf