Mystery Picture

[Viktoria]

Hi Scrimnet, I didn`t think that it had been definitely established that they were WW1 front tying breeches, I thought it was still open to question just exactly what these men were doing and why they were  wearing these particular clothes .I still feel there is a strong Irish link. The" cardigans" look to be a kind of uniform too.The height of the division of the half-opening stable type doors would indicate big 17 hands hunters. It is a very interesting topic and I look forward to a solution ,it has really caught my curiosity.Viktoria

[Viktoria]

Re the "cardigans" they look very like ones I have seen men wearing, it suddenly came to mind, they are not knitted but corduroy at the front and other woven fabric at the back. They were like a sleeved waistcoat.

[acceber]

Hello all!

It is a very interesting topic and I look forward to a solution ,it has really caught my curiosity.

Thank you! yes I'm fascinated too, and very grateful for all the replies so far.

Well with regards to his brothers in WW1 - they were all privates in their various regiments and one was a trooper in the Royal Horse Guards. I don't know if my grt grandfather himself fought as he would have been 34 in 1914 and married to his first wife, and I think married men were exempt initially. - I do have a picture of 2 of his bro's in their army uniform and neither are in this picture here.

If we think that this is sometime during the war period, then it could be in Wales, as my grt grandfather moved to S. Wales between 1908-1918.

I agree that it is definitely very informal, some very formal and some the complete opposite! I think my grt grandad looks like he may have a tie on under his jacket. Thats why its such a mystery as to what's going on in the picture and why it was taken!

Arranroots - what a fab website! yes I'm sure theres the odd ancestor or two hidden on there somewhere! 

Thanks,
acceber

[deb usa]

Hi

Just looked at the picture again .... trying to find small clues...

The seated man, it looks like, has a wide belt on with something attached to it (right hand side) ...looks like a whistle.

deb

[scrimnet]

You've better eyes than I have Gunga Din!!
 
There is something there, perhaps a close up at high res would be useful!

[acceber]

Well spotted!! 

Yes, I can definitely see some sort of chain with something attached! and can also see what looks like a cigarette in the hand of the smartly dressed man in the back row, as pointed out earlier.

Unfortunately this is the only image I have, which is a photograph my cousin took of the original which is in an album of another relative. 

Thanks,
acceber

[scrimnet]

Oh blimey!


This has done the rounds hasn't it???!!!!

Any chance of approaching said relative??

I'm sure we would all love to get to the bottom of this now!!

[deb usa]

Hi

Scrimnet  wouldn't it be fabulous if , on the back of the photo, it named everyone, told of the occasion and where it was ....

deb

[scrimnet]

Hi

Scrimnet  wouldn't it be fabulous if , on the back of the photo, it named everyone, told of the occasion and where it was ....

deb

Oh...to sleep....perchance to dream....