Help with identifying Edward Ellis Regiments and place please

[ExTaff]

hello there. The attached photograph shows my grandfather with a bottle. Family tradition has it that he was a pioneer sergeant but no one can remember which regiment. It was probably a Welsh regiment from WW1. The man receiving the wine was possibly a Canadian. What was a pioneer sergeant??
Thanks in anticipation

[philipsearching]

Greetings, and a warm welcome to Rootschat.

A Pioneer Sergeant was a sergeant in a Foot Regiment company who had skills in carpentry, blacksmithing or what might now be called handyman skills.  The crossed axes above the sergeant's stripes on the sleeve denote that your man was definitely a Pioneer Sergeant.

As regards the regiment - there are several possibilities based on the shape of the cap badge - most likely one of the fusiliers regiments.  If you let us know your grandfather's name it should be possible to check the WW1 medal card index to see if he can be identified.

All the best
Philip

[Regorian]

Might be Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Anyway, superb photograph. Not at all sure if three are Australian/NZ or South Africans. Sitting right seems to have same badges as 'RWF'. Officer in background with accordian will be Australian/NZ or South African. Must go and look at their uniforms.

Added: Unsure but probably not South African.

[Eidde]

The officer's cap badge seems to contain the Prince of Wales feathers - maybe the Welsh Regiment?

Eddie

[MaecW]

An interesting photo. The group seems made up of a mixture of ranks and regiments and is very relaxed. I can't see any medal ribbons so pre-WWI, but I'd have expected the senior NCOs, at least, to have Boer War or India service ribbons. I wonder whether these are not Regulars, perhaps instead this is a group of Territorial soldiers at camp shortly before the War ?.
I don't have the expertise to interpret all the detail but suggest this enquiry should be moved to the Armed Forces board for the experts there to view.

Maec 

[ExTaff]

Thanks for the info re Pioneer Sergeants.  The photo was definitely ww1.  Family tradition had it that he was wounded 3 or 4 times in France and was then transferred to a training bat'n / regiment. I know he lived in North Wales  so either the welsh reg. or the fusiliers would make sense.
Any idea what the two small marks are just above the crossed axes?
  Extaff

[ainslie]

The gent with the bottle:  cap badge looks like Royal Welsh Fusiliers (or Welch if you are picky);  Pioneer Sergeant's insignia above his stripes;  above that what looks like a 'bomber's' badge (grenade in modern terms).
If he is RWF the cap badge should contain the Prince of Wales's feathers within a circle showing the regiment's title.  With a magnifying glass you might be able to make out 'RWF' and possibly another grenade badge on his shoulder, as with another sergeant on our right.  He appears to have a wound stripe on lower left sleeve, or is that a flaw on the photo?.
The man with the mug next to him seems to have a civilian hat with the badge of the King's Liverpool Regiment. 
No medal ribbons visible.

A

[JohnDavies12345]

I'd say its definitely a wound stripe. If it was an upside down chevron it would be for good conduct but it looks more like a single line which would make it a wound stripe.

The axes above his rank slides (3 for sergeant) show he was a Pioneer Sergeant.

I don't suppose you have his service number do you? There is an E Ellis listed in the London Gazette who got a Mention in Despatches on 22/05/1917 on Gazette No. 30086 gazette page 5032.

[ExTaff]

Thanks everyone.
I have managed to get a copy of Edward's record and have attached it. it shows his unit as 53rd (s) Bn Welsh Regt.  with a service number of 24895. It looks as if he may have started as a RWF but finished in a different reg.
I have been unable to find anything more about him. Any extra help would be much appreciated.

ExTaff