Identifiaction of group of soldiers

[tioman]

My Uncle Percy Seward was with the Machine gun corps from February 1916. I know a lot about him from his diaries until he was sent back to England after being wounded at the Battle of Ginchy in September 1916. He reported to barracks 09/11/1916 and the diary ends. He survived the war and re enlisted and I know he was in India in February 1922. Attached is a group photo.  He still has his Machine guns corps insignia, but was this during the war or after.  Who are the other chaps in the photo? (one of whom is in civvys it appears) what regiment are they in? In the other photo he is in India August 1920. Can anyone tell whether he is still in the MGC or has he transferred to another regiment. Later scant diary notes suggest most of his time in India was spent guarding or transporting Military prisoners to and fro.

Any information or suggestions gratefully received.

Regards
Tioman

[John915]

Good evening,

In the 2nd photo, yes he is still in the machine gun corps. But not for much longer as they were disbanded in 1922. He is wearing khaki drill with shorts, boots and short puttees with hose tops. Army socks were only ankle length, still are, so with the short puttees you wore hose tops which were socks with no foot. The junction of sock and hose top was hidden by the puttees. He is wearing what looks to be ribbons for the war medal and victory medal.

Now, the 1st photo! I don't know quite what to make of this. As far as I can see this is not military in any way. The gent seated with breast pockets has the closest to a military uniform but the collar is wrong. The others appear to be home made? The odd ribbons on the breast are not medal ribbons. 3 of them seem to be wearing white scarves, again not military in any way. The gent on the left has what looks to be a MGC flash but this is wrong for military uniform at this time. It should be brass letters on epaulettes on the top of the shoulder.

We will have to see what anyone else thinks.

John915

[tioman]

Hi thanks for that reply. That is my Uncle with the MGC insignia on his jacket so at least we know he was definitely entitled to wear it.... But why it is not the correct type is a mystery, as is the group of gents with him. Could they be Prison wardens (military or civilian?) That's why I wondered if the group were in India too especially as Percy looks a little older. Funnily enough there is photo of Percy much later in life (late 1930's) where he is wearing a ribbon on his suit breast pocket not dissimilar to those in the photo. Food for thought and further investigation. I was just reading about the Battle he was involved in at Highwood Ginchy on The Somme 9/10 Sept 1916.... Unbelievable sacrifice!
Thanks very much
Regards
Tioman

[barryd]

Could the soldier sitting be in a hospital setting, complete with pocket watch and cigarette?

[tioman]

That's a thought... He was invalided back to Blighty (Edmonton & Broxbourne) 16/09/16 to 09/11/16 so that is a good shout... Another thought he was a POW later in the war so wonder if it could be connected to that?
Regards
Tioman

[barryd]

There is a certain look to prisoners of war. One uniform, washed out. No personal property. Probably taken away when they could not put up too much resistance. Is this a studio with scenery in the background or a house/hospital? I cannot imagine the Germans allowing that much freedom to have their photograph taken like this.

[mmm45]

I have to agree with the POW idea
Do you know his service record is on Ancestry?  Born Axminster.
It says he was repatriated in 1918 from POW camp and also served in Waziristan 1920-21

Ady

[joboy]

Could the first photo be 'Hospital Blue' ...... just a thought,
Joe

[tioman]

Thanks for all the comments & ideas. At the moment I favour hospital or a repatriation centre post release as POW (as he looks a little older than in other photos of him circa early 1916). I shall have to get an Ancestry subscription & check his record out. Do you think it will also be held by National archives as he re enlisted? Any further comments more than welcome. Thanks for everything folks.
Regards
Tioman