Need help to restore and date an image of a soldier in uniform from late 1800s

[Neale1961]

On Shaun's 2nd link there is a Debra Williams researching Fred Dexter

Excellent. Hopefully Heyokah will be able to make contact with Debra, and share the photo of Frederick in uniform, and let us all know what the Williams-Dexter connection is. 

[ShaunJ]

I'm not sure we've solved it. The badge is not Cape Police. Is this the same man at 15 year intervals?

[Heyokah]

Were the Cape Police not only a South African unit?

[Neale1961]

Excellent. Hopefully Heyokah will be able to make contact with Debra, and share the photo of Frederick in uniform, and let us all know what the Williams-Dexter connection is. 

I think your next step is to contact Debra Williams and find out what exactly the Dexter- Williams connection is.
The photo could be from the Knight side of the family (wife to George Frederick Dexter).

[Heyokah]

Coincidence that a Williams is researching a Dexter! How do I connect with Debra Williams? I am a complete beginner to this process and appreciate all the help!

[raonull4]

Hi
to contact Debra Williams you need to subscribe to Ancestry,
i suggest using the 14 day trial and if nothing comes of it
cancel within the 14 day period,
can i suggest you save Shauns 2nd link to Ancestry,
on that image you ll see 11 icons of ones researching
Fred Dexter the DW icon is Debra from there you can reach her tree
then message.

[Heyokah]

Thank you for the information. I just signed up this morning for the free trial so will follow that up.

[John915]

Good evening,

The Wolseley pith helmet (the British Army version was made of cork) was first issued in 1899 and was taken out of service in 1948. Apart that is from some ceremonial use, ie; Royal Marines.

This cap badge was used for officers on the general list in WW1. They were specialists who were waiting to be posted depending on their speciality.

The GSC started in 1942 to provide specialists, they would be in the GSC for several weeks until a place was found for them with their particular skills. That would leave a 6 year window for the photo.

John915

PS; As an ex cavalryman I can say he is not a lancer. As such he would have one of several lancer regt cap badges.

[Neale1961]

I'm not sure we've solved it. The badge is not Cape Police.

If I understand reply #28 from Tonepad, who I believe has correctly identified the cap badge as being from a Home Counties Reserve Regiment, then the photo could be of Frederick DEXTER (born 1876), with picture taken around 1900, after having joined one of the Royal Reserve Regiments in England, during the time of the 2nd Boer War. That would make him about 24years old in the photo.

In Shaun’s reply #37 with picture comparison many years apart, it is difficult to know if they are the same man. The ears and chin shape look the same, all three appear to have a large physical build, and maybe similar shape to eyes and eyebrows.

The information that I posted about the man in the Cape Police was only a suggestion, and is probably a “red herring”. He was the only possible Frederick Dexter I could find in Boer War rolls.