Chris Posted 13 May , 2004 Share Posted 13 May , 2004 Hi all. Hope you can help. The attached photo is of a relative from a distant branch of the family. What we know is as follows. His surname was Harrison, but we have no first name. He had a younger sister MArgaret (possibly born 1894), his father was Robert and his mother Selina. We believe that in 1901 the family lived at 110 Fosse Road, Leicester, but unfortunately a trip to Leicester library showed the census return for that street was either missing/unavaialable. Kelly directory lists them at 1900 at this address. Can anyone get me a first name for the man in the photo, and possibly identify any isignia on the photo. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 13 May , 2004 Share Posted 13 May , 2004 This gentleman appears to be a Bombadier in the Royal Field Artillery. I would guess the photo is circa WW1 although some of the uniform experts may be able to help further. The medal ribbon is somewhat unclear but may be a Kings South Africa medal indicating that he may have served in the Boer War. I am unsure of the insignia on the sleeve but I'm sure one of our Royal Artillery experts will be able to assist. Regards Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryBettsMCDCM Posted 14 May , 2004 Share Posted 14 May , 2004 This gentleman appears to be a Bombadier in the Royal Field Artillery. I would guess the photo is circa WW1 although some of the uniform experts may be able to help further. The medal ribbon is somewhat unclear but may be a Kings South Africa medal indicating that he may have served in the Boer War. I am unsure of the insignia on the sleeve but I'm sure one of our Royal Artillery experts will be able to assist. Regards Tim D The Medal ribbon would I expect not to be the KSA as it was not awarded alone {except in a handful of cases to mostly Nurses}it is more likely to be a 1914 Star Ribbon,as this was worn in uniform from late on in the War:: The Divisional badge @ the shoulder appears to be a Welsh dragon?? in Dark{RED?] felt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Juno Posted 14 May , 2004 Share Posted 14 May , 2004 Were Robert & Selina from Lincolnshire originally? There is a Selina Harrison in Leicester on the 1901 census index online, born in Lincolnshire, and also a Robert of a similar age (mid 30s) also born in Lincs. I haven't requested the sheet to confirm the address or that they have any connection, but I thought it might be your family. Good luck with your research. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted 14 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 14 May , 2004 Thanks for the suggestions. In answere to your question Bob, i do not know if they came from Lincolnshire before 1901, elements of this branch of the family certainly lived in Lincolnshire post 1901, so it is likely/viable that Robert and Selina were born in Lincs, before moving to Leicester. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bob Juno Posted 14 May , 2004 Share Posted 14 May , 2004 Chris, I'm sure it would be worth you requesting that record from the Census On-Line, as your soldier's christian name will probably be on it if it's the correct family. I'd be interested to know how you get on. Good Luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Chris The 1891 census has Robert (aged 25) and Selina (aged 26) Harrison living at 2, Fitzroy Street, ELiecester. Also resident are their daughter Ethel, aged 1, born Leicester and their 1 month old son who had no forename, so had not yet been registered. Given the age of the parents, it is unlikely that they had any older children. Will continue looking for his name. Regards Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Chris Found them! In the 1901 census, they live at 22, Kirby Road, Leicester. The son, now aged 10, is called William. Also there are the 7 year old daughter, Margaret. Ethel, who would only be 11, is not recorded at the address and neither is the father, Robert. But Selina is still recorded as being Married (not widowed) and related to the Head of the household as Wife. Perhaps Robert simply spent census night elsewhere? So it looks like our photograph is one William Harrison. Regards Stephen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 17 May , 2004 Share Posted 17 May , 2004 The badge seems to be a variant of the 38th (Welsh) Divisional badge. This could make the soldier (especially as it seems to be a late-war photo) a member of CXXI brigade or CXXII brigade RFA. Alternatively, he could be a member of one of the division's trench mortar batteries. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Posted 17 May , 2004 Author Share Posted 17 May , 2004 Hi. Thank you very much Stephen and Dave. Having a first name Stephen is a real bonus, plus the info of age and addresses will really help; plus you have turned up the mystery of the elder sister, Ethel, someone we were never aware of before (new mystery to solve); so thank you very much for your time and trouble in getting me a first name, plus a big thanks to Dave for the isignia info (might be interested to know that MIC searched with William Harrison, Artillery gives 166 options. Thats this evening taken care of searching through the. Thanks to both of you. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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