Old photo date?

LeslieS

LeslieS

Well-Known Member
This photo was salvaged from my nan & grandads photo album which was falling to pieces. The back is blank with no photographer or studio details or other mark. I assume it must be family related, but who are they?

I have been told that the military uniform of the chap on the right indicates he was in the Royal Artillery because of the belt and white lanyard around shoulder, but as yet I can't trace any family who was in that regiment. Can anyone tell approx photo date by the uniform style, womens clothing and hairstyles. Be great to add names to this group. Leslie.

unident.jpg
 
I agree WW1. I can see Dad, younger son and sister behind are very much alike. The son doesn't look much older than 18 or 19. Have a look see for a family birth to fit. Not sure of the other two. Possibly older son and wife?
 
Also check Family in 1911- then if local London or Surrey Electoral registers. On Ancestry the London Registers show those who are missing due to war work.
I'll pop in a photo of my Maternal Uncle a Gunner in R.G.A uniform. 1914Uncle George Martin & Clara.JPG
 
Archie's Mum said:
Is that a wedding ring I spy on the finger of the lady behind with hand on shoulder of younger one? Could also be a clue?
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My computer copy is much large and yes definately a wedding ring. That will def help. Thanks :)

Some good tips folks, thanks. To me the two right at back look 18 to mid 20's, two back left maybe late 20's to mid 30's. Photo does look around 1914ish
 
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"Royal Garrison Artillery" Leslie. I was lucky to have known his home address & Croydon Library kindly sent me a print out of addresses with absentee voters at war time.
I must now become absentee from this forum for Brekky & daily doings before heat sets in. C|:-)
 
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Hi Leslie,

This reply will not help you but I can't help remarking on the Lance Corporal or Lance Bombardier as the R A would no doubt address him. He looks so much like a fellow REME Armourer I served with in Gibraltar a guy named Dick Roulier, it's uncanny, funnily enough Dick became a Lance Corporal before I left Gib for Demob.
 
Wearing the Lanyard is a tradition for the R A now, originally the lanyard would have been attached to a gun and pulled to fire the gun, the Artillery men in days gone by wore a spare Lanyard in case the one they were using broke. Not 100% sure but I believe using a Lanyard to fire the gun was no doubt to give the guy a little distance between himself and the gun.

No doubt someone on here will have more knowledge than I and will add to my comments.
 
Thanks Findem. Makes sense to carry a spare lanyard.

I just noticed chap on left's uniform has dark buttons. I think the only regiment to have non metal colour buttons were the Rifle Brigade, who had black buttons.
 
LeslieS said:
I just noticed chap on left's uniform has dark buttons. I think the only regiment to have non metal colour buttons were the Rifle Brigade, who had black buttons.
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A great pity the cap badges are not on show.

There is at least one guy, perhaps more, on here who has a goodly amount of military knowledge let's hope he comments.

I have a couple of good books on British Army cap badges, they are to British Army badge collectors the equivalent of what the Stanley Gibbons stamp catalogues are to Philatelists but they have nothing on buttons.
 
Findem: Yes, what a pity. Uniforms show no regimental insignia on collar or arms either. Might suggest photo take during wartime? Chap on left carrying a cane/stick, might suggest his role or regiment?
 
LeslieS said:
might suggest his role or regiment?
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Most soldiers had a "Swagger Stick", some on the top of the metal top had a regimental insignia but I'm not sure if all regiments did, again someone else may help here.

My grandmother had one which had an eagle embossed on the top, not sure if this came from the Scots Guards or The Essex Regiment. The Essex Regiment during the Napoleonic wars captured a French Eagle Standard, they were then given the right to wear the Eagle badge on their collars, so possibly they might have had an Eagle embossed on their Swagger Sticks.

My maternal grandparents in Chelmsford Essex had from time to time soldiers from various regiments billeted on them in both WW1 & 2 for short periods (hence the postcards) I guess the soldiers would be en route to other places. I know they had at least one Scots regiment there because they played a game with me, throwing me from one to another from one side of the living room to the other side, I enjoyed it, when they left one of them gave me his watch, I was about six or seven at the time.
 
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