meathead2008tod Posted 25 August , 2009 Share Posted 25 August , 2009 hi, i have come across a picture of my great great grandfather frank thomas, i cannot identify his hat or badge, can anybody help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 It looks to be the badge of the Royal Artillery - either RA, RFA, RGA, RHA (they all basically had the same badge): http://cgi.ebay.com/WW1-BRITISH-ARMY-CAP-B...id=p3286.c0.m14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 Welcome to the forum olivertod, I agree with artillery with 2 overseas service chevrons (both blue so no 1914 service) and a wound stripe. He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. There are 33 Frank Thomas' serving with the artillery on the MICs, some can be easily ruled out but can you tell us anything else about Frank? cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. Weren't they almost all lace up? I think he is actually wearing leather gaiters/shin protectors - common with drivers (horses) and motorcyclists - over his boots, rather than the more usual puttees. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 You know what I mean and yep on the second look they're more like leg protectors but not the usual leg irons worn by artillery drivers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 And I can see three (vice two) overseas chevrons and a Good Conduct chevron. Agree he's a Gunner of some type. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meathead2008tod Posted 26 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 August , 2009 Welcome to the forum olivertod, I agree with artillery with 2 overseas service chevrons (both blue so no 1914 service) and a wound stripe. He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. There are 33 Frank Thomas' serving with the artillery on the MICs, some can be easily ruled out but can you tell us anything else about Frank? cheers, Jon hi, he was born 21 may 1895 in todmorden west yorkshire, hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meathead2008tod Posted 26 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 August , 2009 Welcome to the forum olivertod, I agree with artillery with 2 overseas service chevrons (both blue so no 1914 service) and a wound stripe. He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. There are 33 Frank Thomas' serving with the artillery on the MICs, some can be easily ruled out but can you tell us anything else about Frank? cheers, Jon born 21 may 1895, can you tell me anything more about is hat please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meathead2008tod Posted 26 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 August , 2009 Welcome to the forum olivertod, I agree with artillery with 2 overseas service chevrons (both blue so no 1914 service) and a wound stripe. He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. There are 33 Frank Thomas' serving with the artillery on the MICs, some can be easily ruled out but can you tell us anything else about Frank? cheers, Jon HI, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT HE MAY HAVE BEEN PART OF THE WEST YORKS CORPS AND MAY HAVE ENLISTED 10.1.1916. PLEASE PLEASE COULD YOU VERIFY IF POSSIBLE. MANY THANKS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 And I can see three (vice two) overseas chevrons and a Good Conduct chevron. Agree he's a Gunner of some type. OK I can see three OSC but can't see the GCC nor anything to say he's a Gunner, with those boots he's most likely to be a Driver. Is there any more to the picture you've posted as there may be further clues that could help ID Frank's unit Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 His hat appears to be the standard SD cap with the wire stiffener removed, there does appear to be a mark/smudge at the top centre which makes it look a little odd, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meathead2008tod Posted 26 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 August , 2009 OK I can see three OSC but can't see the GCC nor anything to say he's a Gunner, with those boots he's most likely to be a Driver. Is there any more to the picture you've posted as there may be further clues that could help ID Frank's unit Jon HI, YES I WILL POST THE FULL PICTURE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 His hat appears to be the standard SD cap with the wire stiffener removed, there does appear to be a mark/smudge at the top centre which makes it look a little odd, Jon I think someone has "Exed" the photo to mark "this is me" agree on the cap and looks like all the badges are artillery men (couple clearer) Staffsyeoman "Gunner" could be simply a generic referent to "Artillery" rather than a specific reference to an artillery rank - I think he is a driver given leggings. He also appears to be wearing riding breeches rather than trousers which would also imply that. I too see no good conduct chevron - I see a wound stripe. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meathead2008tod Posted 26 August , 2009 Author Share Posted 26 August , 2009 Welcome to the forum olivertod, I agree with artillery with 2 overseas service chevrons (both blue so no 1914 service) and a wound stripe. He also appears to be wearing lace up boots. There are 33 Frank Thomas' serving with the artillery on the MICs, some can be easily ruled out but can you tell us anything else about Frank? cheers, Jon CAN YOU GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON FRANK THOMAS PLEASE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunboat Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 I think someone has "Exed" the photo to mark "this is me" agree on the cap and looks like all the badges are artillery men (couple clearer) Staffsyeoman "Gunner" could be simply a generic referent to "Artillery" rather than a specific reference to an artillery rank - I think he is a driver given leggings. He also appears to be wearing riding breeches rather than trousers which would also imply that. I too see no good conduct chevron - I see a wound stripe. Chris Hi for what its worth I can see no good conduct stripe. Only the overseas service chevrons and the wound stripe...for a good example of where Good Conduct Stripe would be worn look no further than the three on the sleeve on my avatar I would agree that the leggings strongly suggest a Driver however the breeches in and of themself would note exclude a gunner in the Royal Horse and Field Artillery as they were designated mounted troops and wore mounted accoutrments as standard. This did not apply to Royal Garrison Artillery where only Drivers wore breeches and the usual mounted troops paraphenalia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auchonvillerssomme Posted 26 August , 2009 Share Posted 26 August , 2009 looks like a wound stripe to me. Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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