Help to identify a uniform

[ceedee]

Hi there, I am from Northern Ireland, this photo is part of my grandfathers collection, unfortunately he has passed away and didn't write on his photos.  There is a possibility that this is James Martin he was born in 1874 and does not appear on the 1901 census, although I know he got married in 1907 and is on the 1911 census. Is it possible that this is a Boer War picture?  Any help would be much appreciated. I wasn't sure if they still rode horses in WW1.  There is a Pte J Martin 3645 of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons appearing on the medal role for the Queens South Africa Medal but I can't find any other records to verify if this is the same man.
thanks in anticipation
Christine

[km1971]

Hi Christine

3645 Private James Martin also fought in WW1 - http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=4139714&queryType=1&resultcount=1

As they used the same number during WW1 it suggests he only had one set of records, and if you cannot find it on Ancestry you have to assume it was destroyed during WW2 bombing. But you should check Findmypast for pre-1914 just is case there was an earlier set.

Ken

[ceedee]

Ken
Thanks for that, I must have a look didn't think about ww1. still haven't figured out how to look for soldier number on ancestry, very new to looking for the records in general
Christine

[km1971]

Hi Christine

The National Archive's index for WW1 medals is far superior to Ancestry's. I always find people on the former and then use http://search.ancestry.co.uk/search/db.aspx?dbid=1262

Ken

[candleflame]

On Ancestry, if you click on the search tab at the top of the page and then choose Military records from the drop down list, you will get a military search form. In that search box type in James Martin and where it says More Keyword( further down the form) put in the service number - 3645, the first entry that comes up in the results has 4 images. Just click through them and see if there is sufficient info to prove he is YOUR James Martin. That one certainly refers to a cavalry regiment. If he's not the correct one, go back to your search results and have a look at all the other James Martins to see if you can find the right one. Your one may not be in the first few pages so keep looking ( from my own experience

[ceedee]

Ken
Thanks for the tips
I notice on the medal card that he was army service corp in WW1 and got a new number r-39733 would this be a reserve force as he was older. I had a look on find my past and there is a mention of him in the boer war section, but I can't view it as I am not a member, it may well be  another medal card
Christine

[km1971]

Hi Christine

The Army Service Corps were the transport and supply department. So still full-time. He may have been medically downgraded as he got older.

He received the QSA with clasp for Cape Colony and the Orange Free State. This suggests he was a later reinforcement and that he missed the set battles of the first year of the war.

Ken

[ceedee]

Ken
Thanks for that, appreciate the help, I am very new to searching army records. I only recently discovered that my dad who recently passed away was called after his uncle who died in the first world war aged 23, I don't think my dad even knew he existed.
Christine

[macintosh]

I'll bet those wizards on the photographic restoration board would do a great job on this soldier,

James