johnnie Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 I picked these photos up a few weeks back but have not had a chance to share them until now. They show a man named "Jack Smith" with one date 12/6/16 (post mark to rear Woking 14/6/16), and clearly show the "Motor Machine Guns" shoulder badge. Only one card has a message on the rear, and this appears to have been posted to: Mr W Gaffs 15 Windsor Terrace South Gosforth Newcastle on Tyne The message reads: "Dear Walt, Having a time of it down here the only fault it is so far from home. How is your group going on. Hear you got starved. If you had to see the troops down here you would think there was no need for more. Every nation is represented. Yours Jack" Anyway, I was wondering if it would be possible to try and work out who "Jack Smith" was. I know it is a very common name, but I imagine his unit is quite rare. My first thought was hunting through MICs but I wasn't sure if he would be down as MGC or MMGC. I also suppose he could have served overseas with a different unit so that might not be a possible research avenue. Any comments would be great, and somebody might find the images interesting if nothing else. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Doyle Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Great photos - and interesting that he wears the standard MGC crossed Vickers badge, rather than the MGC badge with white metal arc of the Motor Machine Gunners (below). The MMG badge reputedly predated the MGC badge. Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Not reputedly; did. There is a photo of MMGS taken in August 1914 (to which I no longer have ready access) at Bisley where there is a mix of soldiers and NCOs which underlines their origins from the Royal Field Artillery. The NCOs are wearing artillery piece badges above their stripes - with the MMG rocker badge in their caps. I have not been able to determine, and sadly the expert on MGC badges passed away last year before we could determine, but the belief was that the cloth title came in after the removal of the 'MMG' from the MGC badge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Doyle Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Not reputedly; did. the belief was that the cloth title came in after the removal of the 'MMG' from the MGC badge. To the first part - yes, I know - I was hedging my bets a little... To the second part - interesting. Makes sense with these pics then... Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delta Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Don't be surprised if he turns out to be a tankee in due course; many of those at Bisley at that time did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john gregory Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Exellent photo's, is he wearing brass shoulder titles as well ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Another MGC badge expert of my acquaintance advises that the MGC/M metal title was authorised for wear in May 1917 (later than I thought). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 18 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Many thanks for the replies, comments, and information. He is indeed wearing MGC brass shoulder titles, and I should perhaps add that the images are much better quality than they look (I have scanned them at low res). Out of interest the bike reg is BY2231 if that helps anybody. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 18 December , 2011 Share Posted 18 December , 2011 Many thanks for the replies, comments, and information. He is indeed wearing MGC brass shoulder titles, and I should perhaps add that the images are much better quality than they look (I have scanned them at low res). Out of interest the bike reg is BY2231 if that helps anybody. Johnnie Do you know if he survived the war? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 19 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 19 December , 2011 I'm afraid I don't. All I know is that the cards are dated 1916 and that his name was Jack Smith. I was hoping that members might be able to help me work out who he is, although it might be hard due to his name. Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark holden Posted 19 December , 2011 Share Posted 19 December , 2011 Here is an example of the cloth S/T. regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnie Posted 19 December , 2011 Author Share Posted 19 December , 2011 A basic search on MICs for the name smith and MMG brings up three men which might fit: J J Smith, 79630, MMGC J B Smith, 11742, Durham Depot att. to MMGC J C Smith, 848, Eaton MMGC I suppose as the second chap would seem to have come from the north (being DLI) he might be a good option, but if he was only attached would he have had the MMGC badges on? Also, if he did move to the MGC or the Tank Corps and went overseas with that unit his MIC could be with a different unit so I could be barking up the wrong tree I guess. I have a feeling this may be a chap we can never fully pin down (unless other photos of him survive). Johnnie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcassell Posted 22 December , 2011 Share Posted 22 December , 2011 The attached picture may be of interest - shows a MMGS gentlemen wearing everything ; cloth title, metal shoulder title and MMG cap badge. Man is unidentified but card has 1916 pencilled in on back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcassell Posted 22 December , 2011 Share Posted 22 December , 2011 Not wishing to co-opt the discussion but I would be interested in comments on the attached. The picture is of 1558 GNR E. Gaunt who served in 1 AC Brigade, MGC (Motors) in Egypt and Palestine before going to France in 1918. If you look at the close-up, his shoulder insignia appears to be 'MMGS'. I have never seen a brass title with "MMGS" nor is one listed in Westlake. Any thoughts?? The cap badge was Gaunt's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john gregory Posted 23 December , 2011 Share Posted 23 December , 2011 The attached picture may be of interest - shows a MMGS gentlemen wearing everything ; cloth title, metal shoulder title and MMG cap badge. Man is unidentified but card has 1916 pencilled in on back. Exellent photo, thanks for showing it. JG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now