WW1 Uniform help please

[LIB]

I am trying to identify this uniform from WW1, we believe the photo was taken very roughly about 1915.  The man's name is Geoge Sinclair (Biddall) Freeman but we know very little else about him.  Thankyou, Lib.

[neil1821]

Hmm, difficult to say.

I don't know if you've looked at the WW1 medal cards already, but there are several George Freeman's listed.
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp

As for the photo, the key for ID'ing the uniform is the badge on the cap and the shoulder title. If you have access to a decent scanner, can you try some high definition scans just of those two areas? On the size it is now, it's not possible to pick out any detail.

He's wearing 3 long service chevrons on his left arm, so he must be a veteran of several years service. Off the top of my head I forget what 3 stripes signifies (minimum 10 years service  )

[Romilly]

I am trying to identify this uniform from WW1, we believe the photo was taken very roughly about 1915.  The man's name is Geoge Sinclair (Biddall) Freeman but we know very little else about him.  Thankyou, Lib.

I wasn't able to open your pic...is there any chance you could re-post as a jpg?

Cheers, Romilly.

[liverpool annie]

I got a black space too !! 

[neil1821]

I hope Lib doesn't mind me posting a jpg on her behalf then

[Canuc]

I clicked on the file and it opened for me OK.

He is wearing an aguilet, the rope over his left shoulder. Its not usual other ranks wear it may be worth considering. I have no recollection of seeing any of my grt grandfather's photos of him through his career were he is wearing an an aguilet be it dress uniform or otherwise (he retired in 1920 promoted W.O.I as Regimental Sergeant Major Royal Engineers).

Above his left chest pocket what is that? Is he wearing jodhpurs? Might you be looking at an observer in the Royal Flying Corps? I am guessing, I can offer no evidence.

Agree long service stripes (the site site I looked at to find the following had a private wearing an aguilet - this one for the military experts I think)
1 stripe - 2 years
2 stripes - 6 years
3 stripes - 12 years
4 stripes - 18 years.

Wound stripes are shorter and vertical (granddad's was in WWI - on his left forearm), but in the photos of grandad circa 1918 and grt granddad circa 1920 long service stripes appear to have become smaller and migrated to the right forearm compared with this photo. NCO rank stripes from 1914 are on both arms not just the right as formerly.

Happy Hunting
Canuc

[liverpool annie]

He's also a marksman !! .... though I think his are muskets aren't they ?? ... maybe he went to Bisley !! 

[LIB]

Gosh - thakyou for all that.  i have been given my grandmother's diary today (the little girl in the photo) and in it she saysher father's brother owned a fairground shooting gallery - which could well explain the marksman link!!!  It also says he was at 'Woolwich Arsenal' and that he was in the army before the war, left, then re-enlisted at start of WW1.

[LIB]

I did look at WW1 medal cards but couldn't narrow them down without knowing a regiment.  I don't have a precise date of birth.