johnnie Posted 1 December , 2008 Share Posted 1 December , 2008 I have just picked up a group of photos relating to the Great War, and was wondering if anybody might be able to shed some light on them. The first four are old photographs of people at the horse races in France before the war. On the rear is the following: On another is written "Found in photo album in the trenches so keep this as souvenier. I have other three I will send one each letter" So the four would appear to go together, and they all show what appears to be the same race meeting. I was wondering if anybody had any idea where White Chateu, Pottege Wood, or Eprey was? Along with the photos was a photograph of a soldier in uniform, and I was wondering if anybody might be able to identify the unit the man served with. Any help with this would be great. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanCurragh Posted 1 December , 2008 Share Posted 1 December , 2008 Jonathan - Pottege is probably Potijze, to the east of Ypres. If I recall correctly, the White Chateau is Potijze Chateau. Could Eprey be a mis-spelling of Ypres/Ieper? Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 1 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 1 December , 2008 I did wonder if he might have mis-spelt Ypres/Ieper, and the name of the wood. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 1 December , 2008 Share Posted 1 December , 2008 J I agree with Alan. At that early stage of the war it was probably a phonetic expression for Ypres among the others, Wipers etc and,once heard committed to paper in the way you think it is spelt ! There may not have been many signposts left to read in order to correct any spelling either ! Potijze is spot on too, in my opinion. Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 1 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 1 December , 2008 Thanks for that. Well now just to try and work out which unit the man was with. The photo of the man came with the cards, however I suppose one can never be 100% sure he is related to the cards, or the man who found them. Then again they appear to have been together for quite a while. Jonathan PS, though I would add the images incase anybody is interested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 1 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 1 December , 2008 Here are the final two. I assume they are taken at the races, but then again it could be some kind of meeting/gathering/ralley which was held at a racecourse. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 4 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2008 Just wanted to bring this back to the top to see if anybody could help with the soldiers unit from the uniform/cap badge. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 The detail of the cap badge is unfortunately too fuzzy to make out the centre, but from its shape I would venture either the Cheshire Regiment or the East Yorkshire Regiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 I would say Cheshire as the scroll seems to be detached at the tips, can you see under a magnifying glass if its a rose or an acorn in the centre? Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 4 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2008 Thanks for the suggestions. I have ahd a look with a magnifying glass however cannot make out what the centre is. I have also tried to sharpen it on the computer but have had no luck. Perhaps this one will have to remain unidentified. Can anybody suggest a date for his uniform? I was also wondering what the band was that seems to run across his hat and behind the badge at a strange angle. I though this band would run straight across the ran over the peak. I wonder if he might be a pre war regular as he seems quite old. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sotonmate Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 Jonathan Perish the thought that he might have actually used the band for it's true purpose,as a chin strap to keep the hat on in a wind,and not put it back properly ! Sotonmate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roel22 Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 White Chateau, or should I say the sad echo of what it used to be. Not sure if this is your White Chauteau (NW of Hollebeke), as there have been two or more chateau's by that name around Ypres. Quite a lenghty thread about it in the Ypres-forum. Roel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 4 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2008 Thanks for the photo. I wonder if it could be the same place? As for the strap. I had never thought about that option! Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gnr.ktrha Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 In the 4 photo's from the 'Race meeting', there are a few men in uniform. The uniforms look to be French or Belgium in style. Is there any clues as to photographer etc on the cards? Regards, Stewart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 4 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2008 There are no names on the rear and there are also no photographer names like you find on most English cards. They are on very think card rather than a thinner material. The only clue (if indeed it is one) is on the stand where one is marked TRIBUNE REPUBLIQUE, while the other is maked TRIBUNE DES ME?????(the rest of the word is cut out. I will post a photo of the uniforms on the photo as somebody might be able to identify them. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 4 December , 2008 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 4 December , 2008 Share Posted 4 December , 2008 I would say Cheshire as the scroll seems to be detached at the tips, can you see under a magnifying glass if its a rose or an acorn in the centre? Regards Charles Pals, I posted a side-by-side comparison of some of these Garter Star-based cap badges in an earlier Topic here: Images of some Garter Star style cap badges I missed off the East Yorkshires, so here's theirs: I'd say looking at the scroll ends, it's a toss-up between Cheshires, East Yorks and East Surreys. Cheers, Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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