aardvark Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 This is a photo of my friends grandfather Samson Chamberlain born 1874 Stratford, Essex. I am wondering if anyone can identify this cap badge and what appears to be a band of braiding around his left shoulder. Any help appreciated many thanks. Glenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Essex Regiment looks a good starter to me. The brading is a lanyward of some sort, I suspect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dundeesown Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Pte Samson Chamberlain 5801 Essex Regiment + 5507& 241978 border Regiment. Gary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aardvark Posted 5 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Pte Samson Chamberlain 5801 Essex Regiment + 5507& 241978 border Regiment. Gary. Thanks for your replies so far. The Samson Chamberlain mentioned above is however the son of my Samson Chamberlain and was 23 when he died. My Samson would have been 40 at the outbreak of WW1 so am guessing he was maybe in the Boer War rather than WW1. Knowing nothing about the army I am guessing it would be feasible that his son went into the same regiment as his father. Glenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daggers Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 There have been many posts about lanyards and their significance; if you use the search facility you will need time to read all the theories and some substance. D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 My Samson would have been 40 at the outbreak of WW1 so am guessing he was maybe in the Boer War rather than WW1. Two issues counting against the soldier in this picture, perhaps: 1. This uniform came into service well after the Boer War 2. He wears no ribbons at all, let alone any which would have indicated service in South Africa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 And the chap in the picture is no spring chicken. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Hello Glenda, He is wearing the 'simplified' jacket of the 1902 pattern Service Dress, with no pleats on the chest pockets, and the stiffened version of the SD cap, which together tend to indicate a likely date for the photo of late 1914 through to the summer of 1915. Although the jacket could also be seen later in the war, especially through 1916, it would be less common to see the stiffened cap worn with it after 1916. The cap badge is Essex Regiment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aardvark Posted 5 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Hello Glenda, He is wearing the 'simplified' jacket of the 1902 pattern Service Dress, with no pleats on the chest pockets, and the stiffened version of the SD cap, which together tends to indicate a likely date for the photo of late 1914 through to the summer of 1915. Although the jacket could also be seen later in the war, especially through 1916, it would be less common to see the stiffened cap worn with it after 1916. The cap badge is Essex Regiment. Thank you all again for your help with identification. So it would appear Samson was obviously in the Army during WW1 even at the age of 40. Glenda Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Thank you all again for your help with identification. So it would appear Samson was obviously in the Army during WW1 even at the age of 40. Glenda Yes Glenda, and that was not at all unusual. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verrico2009 Posted 5 December , 2011 Share Posted 5 December , 2011 Looking at the first man up of the same name, he was a youngster! Name:Samuel Chamberlain Estimated Birth Year: abt 1869 Age at enlistment: 46 Document Year: 1915 Regimental Number: 117212 Regiment Name: Royal Engineers Unfortunately can't see any surviving papers for your man. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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