Uniform identification please

[Pete Keane]

I dont think the uniform is that of the Royal Irish Constabulary, although they were issued with a snake belt similar to that shown, albeit theirs was patent leather.

The mans tunic is that of the British army, prior to the 1915 economy tunic. There were territorial units raised in Ireland, but I dont think the merchant navy and TA woul have worked together - the TA would have weekly parades, possibly more as there was unrest in the country, i suspect they would have been more active than their English equivalent.

It was also normal for TA units to lag behind as regards kit being issued, at the outbreak of WW2 TA units were still issued with WW1 kit (and not much of that!).

Your man does tend to make think regular soldier, but thats just my gut feeling.

I use the following for RIC queries , it has some good images

http://www.royalirishconstabulary.com/

Pete

[Pete Keane]

Its a 1902 pattern tunic, and a 1914 pattern web belt.

So the photo is 1914 at the earliest. The top pockets have pleats, so its not the economy tunic, which was introduced in 1915.

His web belt looks worn, not brand new, so I'm going to go for a Private, British Army, 1914/1915 period.

Pete

[annie24b]

thanks Pete.
Looks like I'm never going to solve the mystery of who he is!

[Pete Keane]

You've got a baby born around 1914, and a lad of about 6 so born about 1909 - any uncles or aunts fitting that profile?

Did your grandfather have any brothers....how did you come by the photo, etc

Pete

[annie24b]

There is only 1 person born around 1914 - my dad's brother. I know nothing about him except his birth - he was the 'black sheep' of the family!
My dad was  born 1904, if he looked young for his age I suppose the boy could be him. My g father had only sisters.
The photo was among a load I got from my mother, and she didn't know who they were - as I say, she thought the man was my grandfather, but the uniform is wrong for Navy. He does look like my dad though!

[mmm45]

A lot of Royal Navy lads served as infantrymen in the Great War and wore Khaki in the Royal Naval Division !
Have you got a name for your GF? to check aginst RN Records

Ady

[O1dgobbo]

An ancestor of mine was in the Merchant Navy for most of his life but at the start of WW1 he volunteered for the army and did not go back to sea until late 1917, when he had been invalided out of the army.

All the best

Gobbo

[Pete Keane]

Maybe you could post your grandfathers details and a check of the NA medal card register can be made.

Naval division works for me.

Pete

[scrimnet]

That type of belt was favoured by territorial and other pre-WW1 part-time battalions. You get more joy on the photograph dating section.

Ken

And also by the Kitchener battalions....

Although not favoured, the troops wanted rid of them as soon as, so as not to be identified as "new army"...They all clamoured for 08ptn webbing