probably a silly question, but...

[oldtimer]

PS - That's Rochester, New York, not Kent!!

Judy 

[Certacito]

Well I never.  You live and learn. Thanks.

[Espiegle]

Cap badge on Sergeant looks like North Staffords, also note single wound stripe on Sgts rt sleeve. as to the lanyard, purely for decoration I think. Lance Corporals wore them.
Regards
Andrew

[oldtimer]

Thank you Andrew for your interest and comments - much appreciated! 

Welcome also to Rootschat! Hope you have fun! Sounds like you know a lot about military history, so you will be very popular 

Best wishes, Judy 

[atom12]

as to the lanyard, purely for decoration I think. Lance Corporals wore them.
Regards
Andrew

Yes, welcome to Rootschat Andrew, regards reference to the lanyard, did you read all the earlier posts!  They did in fact serve a purpose in WW1, whereby they were a practical item, worn for a purpose, it was only in  later years that they became 'decoration'  as you put it. 

[Espiegle]

Thanks for the welcome. My main interest is in military history specifically WW1 and 2. I collect WW1 Memorial Scrolls and this leads to lots of research potential. My own family (Nichol) had a number of military and naval connections, so again I have become quite used to searching through medal index cards/war diaries/soldiers papers/ships logs/London Gazette etc at the National Archives.
I would recommend  a visit to the NA to anyone living relatively close. Lots of info in there just a case of finding it!

Regards
Andrew

[atom12]

Great stuff Andrew

With your interests you will no doubt enjoy this forum as people are most generous with their help.

Thought we might have a family connection there with your Nichol name, but as far as I know, my Nicol does not have the 'h' in it ...

I believe the National Archives is in a bit of an upheaval at the moment. Perhaps you can give us an idea when it will be back to normal, not that I visit very often as it is too far away for me, but others might like to know. 

Anne

[Espiegle]

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/

The NA web site has all the opening times etc. It will be closed from 21-27 Jan for more reorganization. It looks like there will be no advance document ordering until the end of March. Basically just when you have worked out where everything is, they go and move it!

Regards
Andrew

[wyndham]

If you look at the Family Records Centre's and the National Archives' web-sites you will see the latest position regarding the closing of the former around mid-March 2008 and the refurbishment and redecorating, with a short closure of the latter during this coming January.