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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

A 19th Century Marksman


Beau Geste

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post-18180-1270146465.jpg

Any information on this particular soldier would be appreciated. The photo dates from the last two decades of the 19th century so he probably didn't serve in The Great War. I emphasise that ANY information will be appreciated including his regiment and the badges of performance he's adorned with would be well received. I know it's "pie in the sky" time but if anyone can put a name to this gentleman..............

Harry

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Going off the coller badge you are looking at someone from one of the following regiments;

Lincoln

LF

SWB

Glocestershire

East Lanc's

South Staff

Dorset

Essex

Manchester

Gordons

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surprised he could lift his arm with all that metalwork!

Is that an unusual place for the medal on his right breast, and small star on the sleeve?

Obviously shot an elephant and ate it!!

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  • 2 weeks later...

He may well have tought many a recruit, possibly was even brought out of retirement for WWI. I understand there are archives at Bisley. Have you tried the uniforms sub forum?

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Harry,

The picture below shows Staff Sergeant Paish of the QVRs circa 1885 ...

post-20192-1271007628.jpg

Below are enlargements of ...

  1. Your man's framed medals
  2. SSgt Paish's sleeve
  3. Your man's sleeve
1.post-20192-1271007656.jpg2.post-20192-1271007640.jpg3.post-20192-1271007648.jpg

I'm seeing several medals/badges in common.

Knowing S.Sgt Paish's name and unit and the approx date may give you a route into identifying the shooting medals being worn by your man and from there you may be able to cross reference versus the regiments who wore the sphinx collar dog as listed in themonsstar's post.

My rather sketchy notes on Paish's picture record the QVRs in ~1885 as being officially the 19th Middlesex (St Giles & St George's, Bloomsbury) Rifle Volunteer Corps.

If you do chase this down with Bisley, I'd be interested in knowing Paish's medals and a more accurate date myself too! :rolleyes:

Cheers,

Mark

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Right hand pic in above post, lowest badge (crossed rifles): is that an 1870-something I can see below the rifles? Or an 1890-something?

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Forgot to mention - Efficiency Star on right sleeve and ?curved shoulder title might point to a Volunteer??

One for Grumpy I think!

Cheers,

Mark

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Right hand pic in above post, lowest badge (crossed rifles): is that an 1870-something I can see below the rifles? Or an 1890-something?

Yes - I wondered about that. Surely this is a "Trade" or "Skill at Arms" badge though? Again one for David!

I also went cross-eyed staring at what could be year numbers in some of the larger badges, but couldn't make out anything for definite!

Cheers,

Mark

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Forgot to mention - Efficiency Star on right sleeve and ?curved shoulder title might point to a Volunteer??

One for Grumpy I think!

Cheers,

Mark

Actually according to David's excellent Badges booklet, the star could be the Judging Distance Skill-at-Arms badge, which was worn on the right sleeve.

From the angle it's hard to tell if it's the only Star being worn there.

I think the crossed rifles & crown may be Best Shot in Company, but David notes that was to be worn on the right forearm in the 1909 CR and 1914 CR's, not on left as here.

Definitely need His Grumpiness here eh?!

Cheers,

Mark

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First thoughts: jampot cuff = pre-1902-ish.

No regular soldier would be so adorned, so VF.

VF so the star on right signifies 'returned as efficient last year' not distance judging.

Now to the crossed rifles and crown! As there appears to be a date intrinsic to the badge [underneath] it is not in the army official family. I am not an expert on Bisley badges, but it may be one of those.

Curiously, I can see no rank badge at all.

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David,

Spotted some similar Aussie Crossed Rifles badges with included embroidered dates from various Australian turn-of-the-century Volunteer units ...

Aussie Volunteer Marksman badges on Digger History website

They start about a third of the way through the page.

There's also a pic of another Champion Shooter with some of the same badges on his sleeve.

See what you think.

Cheers,

Mark

PS Hope you had a lovely third h-moon!

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Honeymoon fine but forgot that it always snows in Derbyshire when we visit.

The site with link is quite a good one, and the book reference is 'fine as far as it goes' but is not much more than an illustrated listing without a lot of backup regulations etc.

In British Museums I have always tended to blank the uniforms of soldiers festooned with shooting badges: the boy scout aspect does not appeal to a minimalist!

I have no doubt that some British VF or Militias issued dated badges.

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  • 3 weeks later...

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