Re: Uniform identification, dating - help still needed plz

[wecanbeheroes]

Thanks to everyone for replying, the comments have been fascinating to read and have really got me thinking!

James - The Yeomanry possibility sounds possible from what you say, I found a photo via a quick google search of a chap in his uniform here:  http://www.stampcircuit.com/Coin_Auction_Prices_Realized/ViewImage.php?dirname=Coin_Auction_Prices_Realized&item=7806491
The description of this man's regiment is '52 COMPY PAGET'S HORSE, 19TH BATTALION IMPERIAL YEOMANRY'. Joined Feb 1900, Field Force South Africa - born Jan 1st 1880 [my GF was born in the same year]  - very similar uniform - but sadly the cuffs of his jacket aren't showing. I'll keep looking for more uniform photos.


Ken - I don't have the original, but my Aunt or cousin has it, I will try to borrow it to get a good close up scan done. I have Ancestry, but not FindMyPast - I've checked Ancestry but although I've found a WW1 medals rolls index card for a Walter W SLADE but there's very little info on that. I have found a Walter W Slade on the 1901 census - the age fits, as does the place of birth, even his trade is the same, so I'm assuming it's him. Things are complicated by the fact that whilst living in Surrey, at the age of 10 he lost both his parents within 10 months and was orphaned along with his younger brother [ALFRED DENHAM] and younger sister [GERTRUDE BESSIE] - all 3 children were separated.

Chris - Thanks for your input, I noticed the dates on that record - from 1914-1920 - which made me think it was unlikely to be him as he was married in 1909 and their first child was born in 1910 - followed by 1 new baby every 2-3 years until 1929 when my Dad was born - so if he was in the Yeomanry could he have been based near to home - home being Bristol.

Ady - thanks for clarifying who Walter W was - that's ruled him out which avoids going down the wrong road, so thanks for that

Thanks everyone so far - keep the thoughts coming! 

[Niksmum]

no records but a clean and color from me

Irene

[wecanbeheroes]

  Irene, such fantastic work [as always] your colours are so subtle yet vibrant. The flesh tones are amazingly realistic too. I was worried that it might be impossible to get any detail on his right [our left] eye as it's shaded by the hat, and it looks so grainy and 'noisy' on the scan - but you have done a wonderful job! Thank you so much.

Kind regards, Jac

[Niksmum]

you are very welcome...glad you liked it
Irene

[mmm45]

http://www.angloboerwar.com/imperial-yeomanry?start=1

This site may help id him.Theres a W Slade listed on Ancestry Medal Rolls with South African service in Boer War as part of 75th (Sharpshooters) Coy 18th Imperial Yeomanry

Ady

[wecanbeheroes]

Ady,

I found [and saved] that record, thanks for pointing me to it

[wecanbeheroes]

I'm still no closer to identifying this uniform. I've now been able to eliminate the W Slade in Ady's link, as the same W Slade appears on roll-of-honour.com's Boer war database as a William [not Walter William] Slade [regimental number matches on both sources] so this isn't my Grandfather.

A good few years ago my Aunt told me something about my GF being in Ireland in a military capacity, does anyone know what might have been happening there around 1898-1909 that could have resulted in British troops being sent there? Maybe as a peace keeping force?

Also my Dad has said that he has a vague idea that my GF [his Dad] had mentioned something when my Dad was a small boy [he's now in his 80s] about him losing his hearing [my GF, not my Dad] while he was 'sleeping under canvas' in the army. This might not be relevant, but it could give a clue so thought I'd mention it.

Not being able to identify this uniform is getting more and more frustrating by the day, so I really would appreciate any help in getting to the bottom of this.


Can anyone help? Please  - Regards, Jac

[km1971]

Hi Jac

I am wondering if the shoulder title is NIH (for North Irish Horse) - or SIH - both  formed after the Boer War. The weight of his tunic suggests home use as does the braid work on his cuff.

Ireland was part of the UK in his time. So all regiments had a mixture of English, Irish and Scottish. And almost all regiments served in all parts of the UK at some point. He would have attended an enlsitment training of about two months; followed by six annual trainings of about six weeks. He would have been paid the same rate as a Regular while he served. Most trainings would have been under canvas.

Do you have any information about where in Ireland he was?

Ken

[Vaugh]

Hi,
I think you can discount the NIH or SIH as at this period prior to 1908 they were not in existence. The bandoleer is the clue here, it's one that would have been in use for the Boer War so I'd bet on an Imperial Yeomanry unit, by 1903 a leather bandoleer was in use and the SIY (formed in 1902, changed to SIH in 1908) used this as part of their uniform.
Using Kevins Asplins page here:
I found four Walter William's with surnames beginning with 'S' a long shot I know but then spelling is not our greatest asset.
Scott, Walter William Edward    25920, Private    53rd Coy., 11th Bn. I.Y.
Sharpe, Walter William    4284, Private    62nd Coy., 14th Bn. I.Y.
Smith, Walter William    34187, Sergeant    112th Coy., 11th Bn. I.Y.
Spratt, Walter William    30439, Private    34th Coy., 11th Bn. I.Y

There are 79 men with the forename Walter ...... Best match was
Slater, Walter    43452, Trooper*    33rd Bn. I.Y. (I'd put money on this one!! )
The Imp Yeo records are available at Kew so  if you look you'll know if this is your man or not

The foregoing is just another take on the question and my two pennies worth, also just wanted to quash the SIH angle..