Colour and possibly date please.

[graeme121]

This is my Great Grandad who was born around 1882. I don't have any information on this picture so have no idea where it was taken, but it looks as if he may be holding drumsticks?? Any help would be fantastic.

Thanks in advance

[SmowGY]

Looks like a swagger stick, though he has no obvious rank badges.  I don't know if an ordinary soldier would carry one.

Middle east in WW1, just a thought

[PrueM]

I can only see part of the man - has the rest of the photo been cut off or is it just me?!

[graeme121]

I'm afraid part of the photo has been cut away

[REIVER CLAN]

Hi there, i believe the clue is in the sporrin, The black watch had a white sporrin with 5 black tassles.  if you look on the black watch web site or scottish military disasters site. you will find links to pictures which show several shots of soldiers in similar uniforms.
 
good luck in your search

steve

[graeme121]

Thanks for the info Steve it certainly does look like a Black Watch sporran. It's such a shame that only 40 per cent of records remain from WW1 making it extremely difficult to find out any more. 

[PrueM]

Would the Black Watch wear a slouch hat? * answered - see next reply!
 
Unfortunate that we can't see the collar badges, they would give a big clue.  to me, his top half looks Australian and his bottom half Scottish! 
 
Have you thought about posting a message on the Armed Forces board, in which you can paste the URL for this topic, and asking the experts there to try to identify the uniform?

[PrueM]

Answering my own question, it looks like they did wear the slouch hat.  http://www.theblackwatch.co.uk/index/photo-archive has a photo of men similarly attired (although their kilts are covered).

[Niksmum]

my try

Irene