Help with a date for this photo please

[atmartinas]

I hope someone can help me with a date for this photo. None of my living relatives know who this is but I think the fact that my mother kept the photo means if he is not a relation then he is a neighbour. The photographer is 'JAMES ?MCLEAN' MARTVILLE INCHICORE ROAD, DUBLIN.

M.

[chinakay]

This would be better on the Armed Forces board for uniform help...but I can tell you the black backing was popular in the 1890s, as well as the thing he is leaning on.

Cheers,
China

[atmartinas]

Thanks for that, I only just found this site, I will post on armed forces, if I can find date and regiment I might even discover who it is, here's hoping

[shanew147]

found just one listing for that photographer in a directory listing from 1881.

  James H. McLean, Inchicore


Shane

[atmartinas]

  James H. McLean, Inchicore
[/quote]

Thanks Shane, I couldn't read it properly but when I look at it now that is what it says.
M

[sgtvic]

Hello,
I have a similar picture. Have a close look at the collar dogs (collar badges)
which may identify the regiment.
The DCLI (duke of cornwall light inf.) were there circa 1884-89
after first training in Bodminster.
Good Luck - SgtVic

[atmartinas]

Hello,
I have a similar picture. Have a close look at the collar dogs (collar badges)
which may identify the regiment.
The DCLI (duke of cornwall light inf.) were there circa 1884-89
after first training in Bodminster.
Good Luck - SgtVic

Thanks for your reply Sgt Vic. I have just about accepted that I will never identify this young man. I have attached a slightly better quality photo, but as you will see the collar badges are very blurred. Where is the 'there' that you refer to in your reply please?

Thanks
M

[sgtvic]

Hello ,
The "there" was Dublin, Ireland circa 1884-1889 as far as i know,
but not an expert.
-Cheers

[atmartinas]

This would be better on the Armed Forces board for uniform help...but I can tell you the black backing was popular in the 1890s, as well as the thing he is leaning on.

Cheers,
China

I have decided to renew my efforts to try and identify some of my old photos starting with my young soldier. This time last year I knew very little about the family I believe this soldier is a part of. Since then I found an old family grave that helped me confirm some family names and have found some of them on the parish register which I haven't finished checking, I find it hard to make time to go to wexford to do that. In the meantime I am reviewing the help I have had so far. Shanew147 found a listing for the photographer in 1881. Regarding the advice above from China, the backing although it looks black in fact its green, does that change the date estimate, China did say that the 'thing' he is leaning on is also typical in 1890's. So should I focus on 1890s and how old does he look??

I have had some great advice yesterday regarding the uniform on the armedforces http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=632364.10

Thanks Everyone.