Help with regiment and possible date of photo

[snowybeatle]

SURNAME: Smart
LOCATION: United Kingdom
I would be grateful if anyone is able to give an approximate date to this photo. It's either of my mother's brother, Reginald Albert Smart (born 1910) which would make it WW2, or her father, Reginald Charles John Smart (born 1870) so likely from WW1.
Both served in the British Army. A regiment would be even better but thanks in advance for any response.
Steve

[Andy J2022]

Well, he is in a cavalry regiment, and I believe the sword he is holding is the 1908 trooper's pattern cavalry sword, and not the 1912 officer's sword which had a chrome plated basket. However that doesn't help to date the photograph as the  1908 sword continued to be used on ceremonial occasions up to and beyond the Second World War, although it was not used in battle during WW2. The clue may lie in whether he is wearing boots or puttees. I think he is wearing boots but others may disagree. I am not that knowledgeable on the subject, but I think that during WW1 all cavalry troopers wore long puttees, not riding boots, and so if I am right,  this would place the photograph in a later period. However some expert on cavalry uniforms may correct me.

[Jebber]

They look more like Puttees to me, but them I could be wrong.

[Andy J2022]

Are you aware that Reginald Charles John Smart joined the 3rd Hussars with the number 3837 at  Aldershot on 23 June 1897, and served there and at Shorncliffe before being discharged at his own request on 25 May 1898?  Also I think you have quoted the wrong year of birth for him. It looks like he was born in Pimlico in the last quarter of 1879 (see the 1911 census, plus his birth registration at Hanover Square 1A 399). 

I am very confused about his marriage. Clearly in the 1911 census he is living in Newton Abbot with his wife Emily and three sons, including Reginald Albert born 1910. Emily's maiden name was Timms (per Reginald Albert's birth registration), yet it appears that Reginald C J Smart did not marry Emily Timms until Qtr3 1944 (Hendon 3A 1591). The woman he appears to have married in 1900, was either Mary Elizabeth Dennison or Catherine Polly Capewell, in Islington (Qtr 4 1900 Islington 1B 489).

Reginald Charles John Smart's service record for WW1 does not appear to have survived, and I haven't found a WW1 medal card for him, among than many Reginald Smart's who served.

(For the information of anyone else who wants to look into this story, don't be confused by Reginald Charles James Smart born 25 Nov 1901 in Romsey and who married Linda Christian in 1937 (again in Romsey) and who died  on 2 Dec 1975 in Romsey)

[snowybeatle]

Hi Andy
Firstly, thank you for the insight into the uniform and possible dating. Boots or puttees remain the question!
I've spent over 20 years researching my father's side of the family and have been looking at my mother's side for less than a fortnight! You are quite correct that his birth date is indeed in 1879. Untangling Reginald Charles John Smart's life has been interesting and he was certainly elusive. He was married to Catherine Polly Capewell, you are correct. He separated from her in 1901. There appears to have been 2 children from this marriage before he 'married' Emily Louisa Timms. He didn't actually marry her until 1944, despite the additional 9 children, my mother being the last. My mother clearly never knew about any of this!

A pity about his service record but his elusiveness was clearly carried to his grave. Many thanks for all of your time and help.

[Andy J2022]

If the man on the horse is Reginald Charles John Smart, then it seems likely the photograph may date back to his time with the 3rd Hussars in the period June 1897 - May 1898. However from other photographs (eg the one in the link below)  of 3rd Hussars soldiers on horseback from around that time  it would appear that they wore a white lanyard on the left should, and that their horse's tack included a white martingale, neither of which appear in the photo. I'm not sure what we should conclude from this.
https://www.alamy.com/the-3rd-the-kings-own-hussars-during-the-first-world-war-image621170575.html

[snowybeatle]

Thank you Andy
My response is late due to the site being down for several days but your help is appreciatedl.
Steve

[alan o]

If the man on the horse is Reginald Charles John Smart, then it seems likely the photograph may date back to his time with the 3rd Hussars in the period June 1897 - May 1898. However from other photographs (eg the one in the link below)  of 3rd Hussars soldiers on horseback from around that time  it would appear that they wore a white lanyard on the left should, and that their horse's tack included a white martingale, neither of which appear in the photo. I'm not sure what we should conclude from this.
https://www.alamy.com/the-3rd-the-kings-own-hussars-during-the-first-world-war-image621170575.html

It cannot be pre 1905 as that was the year that the peaked cap came into use for cavalry troopers.  Prior to that they would have been wearing the 1903 Brodrick peakless cap or the side cap worn from the late 1890s.  The photo is not from his brief time with the 3rd Hussars in the 1890s.

[snowybeatle]

Thank you, Alan. The process of elimination now firmly points at Reginald Albert Smart (1910–1988),my mother's brother. I have no idea of the regiment but clearly a cavalry unit, judging from the photo.