Is this the uniform of an officer?

[justmej]

I know this is not a particularly clear picture but, was wondering if anyone could tell me anything about the uniform my grandfather is wearing?  Unfortunately, although I have other similar pics, cannot find one showing the side of his cap.

Could this be the uniform of a Lieutenant Colonel?

Thank you
justmej

[Espiegle]

Definitely an officer. Do you have any pictures which show his shoulder tabs. If you have, then by looking at the numbers of pips or crowns you will be able to work out his rank.
Regards
Andrew

[justmej]

Andrew

Thanks for your interest.  Does this one help at all?  I have an album of pictures, taken at the same event, but unfortunately, non that seem particularly clear.  On some of them, are lots of army personnel, although do not know if they are from the same regiment or not.  He was in the Royal Engineers, at some time, but unsure if this was his regiment at the time the photos were taken.

justmej

[Espiegle]

Yes, looks like a pip and a crown, which means he was a Lieutenant Colonel. If you have any pictures in which his lapel badge is clearer, then I might be able to work out his regiment.
He has a good number of ribbons on his chest, close ups of those will give an idea of his military career.
What was his full name and when was he born ? With this data I should be able to look him up in the Army Lists.

Regards
Andrew

[justmej]

Andrew

Thank you for the confirmation of the uniform and welcome to RootsChat; a bit late with the welcome, so my apologies for that!

Unfortunately, I cannot find any others pics that give a clearer view of his ribbons, or lapel badge.  Not sure if you will be able to see anything from these two?

His full name was James Patterson Oliver and he was born 03 Jan 1894 and I know he served in both wars.  I have a small faded pic, which he signed and wrote 'Cairo 1917'.

justmej


 

[Espiegle]

Leave him with me, I will have a look to see what I can find.
Regards
Andrew

[liverpool annie]

This looks like his medal card !  looks interesting !! 

Medal card of Oliver, James Patterson

Army Cyclist Corps
55
Private
Durham Light Infantry
1665
Lance Corporal
Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
Lieutenant
Date
1914-1920

http://www.rootschat.com/links/02ff/

Annie 

Just as an aside 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieutenant-Colonel_%28UK%29

[Espiegle]

Yes, I saw that as well. I had a go at finding him in the London Gazette, but no joy yet (it does have a somewhat strange logic engine!)
His Officers records will not be at NA as he continued to serve after the end of WW1. A systematic search of the Army lists will reveal the bones of his career. Some of the larger city libraries have them in their reference sections.
Andrew

[scrimnet]

Well the photo is post 1944 as he is wearing a coloured field service cap...

I did find a James Patterson Oliver becoming a 2nd Lt in 1943, on what appears to be the General List...

Now the CFSC...It's not RE as that one only had piping around the top, not the sides...