Can Anyone Identify This Uniform?

[khoelting]

Hello. I was wondering if anyone can identify the uniform my Great-Great Uncle is wearing in this photo. His name is John McCaffery and he was born in 1896 in Bonhill, County of Dumbarton, Scotland. He moved to the US in the 1920's, and never married or had any children. I remember him speaking of his service in WWI, but really didn't pay too much attention. (I really regret that!). He passed away in 1981. I would love to honor him on my Ancestry.com page by correctly identifying exactly where he served/what he did. If I could identify his unit/regiment, then perhaps I could get more information about him. (I also have another photo of him standing if that would be of more help, please let me know.) I am from the US, so please forgive my ignorance about how the British military systems works. I don't know if there is just one British army or did Scotland have their own? I know he was very proud of his Scottish heritage and I used to love listening to him talk with his wonderful accent. Anyway, if anyone could help, I believe it would be a great starting point in finding out more about him. Thank you so much.

[wainfleet]

KH

English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish troops all served together within the British Army. Your relative is in the 16th (Glasgow Boys Brigade) Battalion of the Highland Light Infantry, part of the 32nd Division. A brief summary of the division's activities is here: http://1914-1918.net/32div.htm. Hopefully this will be a useful starting point for future research.

Best wishes,

W.

[FROGSMILE]

You will also find out more about his regiment and battalion here: http://www.glesga.ukpals.com/folk/forces5a.htm

and a good overview here: http://warpath.orbat.com/regts/hli.htm

[JOHN BALL]

There are nine John McCaffery's in the medal cards. One being in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, another in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Both with the Victory, and British medals.

oldloyal.

[wainfleet]

Three McCafferys in the HLI in the Medal Index Cards - one Joseph, him perhaps?

[khoelting]

I don't know how to thank you all SO MUCH for the information. How quick you all responded!! This is so wonderful to know and it gives me a great place to start researching. Thanks again for all your help.

[FROGSMILE]

"McCafferty" is a traditional song which originated as a street-ballad about Patrick McCaffery, executed in 1862 for the killing of two of his officers. It is particularly popular in Ireland, where McCaffrey came from, and was recorded by The Dubliners. In the British army it was believed that to sing the song was a chargeable offence.

Patrick McCaffery was born in County Kildare, Ireland, in October 1842. Mrs. McCaffery sent him to England to stay with a friend, Mrs. Murphy of Mossley near Manchester, where, at the age of 12, he started work in the mill. On 10 October 1860, aged 19, he took the Queen's Shilling and enlisted in the 32nd (Cornwall) Regiments of Foot (Light Infantry). After enlistment he was sent to Fulwood to train with 11 Depot Battalion and then posted to 12 Coy, the 32nd Regiment. The barracks still stands and is externally very little changed.

While at the depot, on sentry duty, McCaffery had a disagreement with his captain, Captain Hanham, who sentenced him to fourteen days confinement to barracks. Later that day Capt. Hanham and the commanding officer of the Fulwood depot, Col. Hugh Crofton, were walking across the barracks square when McCaffery loaded his musket and fired at them, at a distance of 65 yards (59.4 m), causing both to stagger and fall. A bullet passed right through Col. Crofton's lungs then through the chest of his companion and one of his lungs and lodged in his back. After firing the shot McCaffery quietly handed his weapon to a comrade and was led, unresisting, away. Col. Crofton died instantly and Capt. Hanham a few days later.

McCaffrey's trial was set for the Liverpool Assizes, where he appeared in December. The result was a foregone conclusion. The sentence was carried out on Saturday, 11 January 1862, in front of Kirkdale Gaol, at Liverpool. The sympathies of the crowd were with McCaffery, while Captain Hanham's final departure was ignominious - the crowd turned their backs on his coffin. The street ballad that was written sometime afterwards found the popular ear amongst the large Catholic Irish population of the North West of England.

The song is sung with some variants on names, places and regiment. One version of the lyrics is (to the melody of the "Croppy Boy"):

When I was scarcely eighteen years of age,

To join the army I did engage;

I left the fact'ry with good intent,

To join the 42nd Regiment.

To Fullwood Barracks I then did go

To serve a short period in that depot;

But out of trouble I could not be,

For Captain Hansen took a dislike to me.

While standing sentry out one day,

Some soldiers' children came out to play;

I took one's name, but not all three -

And with neglect of all duty he did charge me.

In the barracks court-room I did appear,

But Captain Hansen my sad story would not hear;

The sentence it was quickly signed,

And to Fullwood Barracks I was then confined.

For fourteen weeks and fifteen days

The sentence rose and turned my brain;

To shoot my captain dead on sight

Was all that I resolved to do each night.

I saw him standing in the barracks square,

A-walking arm in arm with Colonel Blair;

I raised my rifle, and fired to kill:

I shot my poor colonel against my will.

I did the deed, I shed the blood,

And at Liverpool Assizes my trial I stood.

The judge he says, "McCafferty,

Prepare yourself for the gallows tree."

I had no father to take my part,

I had no loving mother for to break her heart;

I had one friend, and a girl was she -

She'd lay down her life for McCafferty.

Now all young soldiers take a warning by me:

Don't have nothing to do with the British Army.

For only lies and tyranny

Have made a murderer out of McCafferty!

In Liverpool City this poor boy died.

In Strangways Manchester his body lies.

Now all good people who do pass by,

Go shed a tear for McCafferty!

Greater detail for those interested here:

http://mysongbook.de...m/mccaffer.html

The ballad itself can be hear here:

http://www.tobarandu...74572DBBA9D81A3