clalou Posted 14 February , 2009 Share Posted 14 February , 2009 Hello to all on the uniform section! Would anyone be able to identify this uniform preferrably with an estimated date for me please? If need be I also have a much larger image of the original photo so could zoom in for a close-up on any section if it helps. Mank thanks Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Stewart Posted 14 February , 2009 Share Posted 14 February , 2009 Certainly Royal Artillery, but uncertain whether Field or Garrison. I haven't got my book on profficiency badges here, but he's wearing crossed artillery guns with a star above, which Grumpy one of our members would identify easily. As for dating, well not easy, but would say circa 1890's/1900's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 14 February , 2009 Share Posted 14 February , 2009 I was mulling (especially with a Southsea photographer) that he might be Royal Marine Artillery? And Graham's right, it's a proficiency badge right up Grumpy's street - and I think it's a Prize Badge too, awarded to the best performer at a certain level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 14 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 14 February , 2009 Certainly Royal Artillery, but uncertain whether Field or Garrison. I haven't got my book on profficiency badges here, but he's wearing crossed artillery guns with a star above, which Grumpy one of our members would identify easily. As for dating, well not easy, but would say circa 1890's/1900's. Many thanks Graham for your prompt reply to my query. I did wonder what the crossed guns and star on the sleeve were. I am also pleased to hear you think it may be 1900s as this puts my ancestor in the appropriate time frame. Thanks again Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 14 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 14 February , 2009 I was mulling (especially with a Southsea photographer) that he might be Royal Marine Artillery? And Graham's right, it's a proficiency badge right up Grumpy's street - and I think it's a Prize Badge too, awarded to the best performer at a certain level. Thank you Staffsyeoman for suggesting Royal Marine Artillery. I am certainly interested in finding out what the proficiency badge was awarded for so with both yours and Graham's advice I will contact Grumpy. Many thanks Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 15 February , 2009 Share Posted 15 February , 2009 The sword sling might suggest RHA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 15 February , 2009 Share Posted 15 February , 2009 My opinion RHA later than 1898 before 1914, member of 2nd prize battery nice photo! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodge Dowson Posted 15 February , 2009 Share Posted 15 February , 2009 Royal Marine Artillery I think Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 15 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 February , 2009 My opinion RHA later than 1898 before 1914, member of 2nd prize battery nice photo! Dear Grumpy - Your opinion fits perfectly with the timescale I have for my ancestor. Would you be able to elaborate on 2nd prize battery please Thank you very much Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 15 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 February , 2009 The sword sling might suggest RHA? Hello Squirrel Many thanks for the info - much appreciated. Kind regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 15 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 15 February , 2009 Royal Marine Artillery I think Thanks Rodge for your opinion - much appreciated Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 16 February , 2009 Share Posted 16 February , 2009 I know little about RMA badges: the Army Clothing Regs neither include nor exclude them from prize badges. But the sword sling and what looks like a riding crop or whip? Battery prizes were redesigned in 1898 and were: crossed guns 3rd, crossed guns and star above 2nd, crossed guns and crown 1st. To every man and NCO of the prize battery, competed annually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 16 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 16 February , 2009 Many thanks Grumpy for clarifying this for me. Kind regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw63 Posted 16 February , 2009 Share Posted 16 February , 2009 Hi, This photo calls to mind the famous portrait of Sgt. George Edward Nurse VC, taken after 1901. He was in 66 Bty RFA. The uniforms are identical, even down to the crossed guns badge (not visible in this copy I'm afraid). Simon Just a thought.... Royal Artillery - photo from Southsea - another possibility could be RGA from Fort Nelson prior to 1902? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 17 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 17 February , 2009 Just a thought.... Royal Artillery - photo from Southsea - another possibility could be RGA from Fort Nelson prior to 1902? Thanks Simon for your reply - do you know if the photographer's studio location is usually indicative of where regiments are stationed or could they have been taken during a training exercise? Kind regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sw63 Posted 17 February , 2009 Share Posted 17 February , 2009 Hi Clalou, It was just where the soldier happened to be when the urge took him to get photographed. Many were taken whilst home on leave, but some were taken close to where the soldier was stationed at that time. The above photo of George Edward Nurse VC was taken in Cork, whilst his home was in Liverpool. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 17 February , 2009 Share Posted 17 February , 2009 The more I like at original subject, the buttons look like famous RHA ball buttons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 17 February , 2009 Share Posted 17 February , 2009 I think that you may well be right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 17 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 17 February , 2009 Thank you Simon, Grumpy & Squirrel for your comments. I am going to Who Do you think You Are show next week and I know that Firepower will have a stand - do you think it would be worth taking the photo with me? Best regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 17 February , 2009 Share Posted 17 February , 2009 nothing can begin to match the expertise on this forum, but worth a go I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 18 February , 2009 Share Posted 18 February , 2009 Hi Clalou, Your man looks like a gunner in the pre-1904 Royal Field Artillery (RFA). He is clearly wearing his Full Dress tunic (9 buttons), which he would wear for walking out, minus his Full Dress headdress, which is why he is wearing a pillbox hat. Incidentally, Army Order 242 of 1901 removed swords and sword bayonets from the Royal Horse Artillery (RHA) and the RFA Other Ranks. The belts were still used until 1904. Royal Horse Artillery, in Review Order (pillbox hat for walking out), would be wearing a Hussar-like jacket and breeches. Sometimes a stable jacket would be worn. Both of these jackets are high-waisted. Royal Garrison Artillery (RGA) would look similar to an RFA man. However, RFA pre 1904, would wear the white belt and a snake-type fastening and it looks like he is wearing one of these. Plus, he is carrying a whip. Aye Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 20 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2009 Dear Tom Many thanks for your views on this photo. It still looks as if the jury is out on this one but I think he is carrying a whip too so I am beginning to think RHA. I know that he had not entered the army in 1901 as he is on the census living with his adoptive family aged 16 but think he may have done so pretty soon after. Thanks again Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 20 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2009 Thanks Grumpy Will let you know if Firepower at WDYTYA show confirm RHA or otherwise. Kind regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A McCluskey Posted 20 February , 2009 Share Posted 20 February , 2009 Clalou, Don't be confused by the name, both were part of the Mounted Branch of the Artillery. The Field Artillery required a similar amount of horses to the Horse Artillery - so both would carry a whip or a crop as a walking out dress accoutrement. If you look at the picture below of the Royal Horse Artillery, the chap in the foreground, with his hands on the wheel of the gun is wearing a Stable Jacket, The two chaps directly behind him (one bending down) are wearing the Hussar-like jacket that would be worn by the Horse Artillery in Full Dress (Review Order). Note that both jackets are high-waisted. For this reason, I think your man is Royal Field Artillery. Apologies about not making this clearer. Hope this is of use Aye Tom McC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clalou Posted 20 February , 2009 Author Share Posted 20 February , 2009 Dear Tom Firstly may I say what a magnificent photograph! Thank you very much for explaining that both RF & RHA had horses. My apologies I have come into this cold with very little background information so the extra clarification has made things much clearer. Did the RFA have horses just for pulling guns or did they get to ride them as well? My thanks again Kindest regards Clalou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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