Identity of cap badge request

[asanewt]

This photo shows my Uncle, William John Lewis, centre rear around 1915 we think. He survived but his medals etc are not with the family.

There is another photo' which will be posted if I can get access. Legend says he was wounded/gassed.

A poor image but does anyone have a confident opinion on the regiment as a starter please.

Thanks for looking, Jules.

[Khaki]

Hello JulesW,

A bit hard to tell, but might be Royal Fusiliers, can you give us a close up?

khaki

[asanewt]

Thanks Khaki, I first thought Royal Welch Fusiliers which would make sense. Then 2nd left rear seems to have a fusiliers collar dog.

Uncle Bill and front left have dark buttons. Then what is that on the sleeve of left front man ?

The original is a bit out of focus at the badge level but I will have a little play. Regards, Jules

[Steven Broomfield]

Difficult to say, but I'd say the shape (as far as one can tell) is more likely RWF than RF. The spread of the flames looks too narrow for the latter.

[clive_hughes]

Willing to be corrected here, but the front left hand man seems to have 2 x wound stripes on his left cuff, with a qualification-type badge above them (eg, LG for "Lewis Gunner", in a wreath). Wound stripes 1916 onwards.

The chap rear left clasping his shoulder also seems to have a couple of overseas service chevrons on his right cuff, which if so dates it after April 1918.

The dark buttons might be the "economy" issue leather ones?

Clive

[asanewt]

Thanks Steven Broomfield and LST the plot thickens ! Jules

[asanewt]

Spot on LST. under a magnifier the sleeve badge is LG above wound stripes and some sort of flower/rosette on left breast pocket.

The overseas chevrons seem to be three white one dark, his cap badge is dull harp with crown and at least one similar in the group but bright.the man with the snake belt and one other have curved shoulder title with something above. Looks to be a mixed bunch. Trying to improve detail, thanks again, Jules

[asanewt]

We can now say that at some time Uncle Bill served with 18th London Regiment. Rifleman 608144.

This detail thanks to Hywyn and LST-64 for some smart, very supportive, input to another thread regarding his brother Herbert.

Any opinions stemming from this new information appreciated.

[tony paley]

Irish Harp cap badge 18th London were the London Irish.

tony P

[asanewt]

Yes tony P, thanks for that. As you can see it all fits now thanks to the spot by Hywyn. Need dodgy weather now to go archive tripping

[jbw541]

Hello JulesW,

A bit more info, (which you probably have already found!) is that Williams MIC also has another Regtl. No. TR/13/72744. Was it the London Irish who kicked a football across no mans land during their advance at Loos?

Joe.

[asanewt]

Great message Joe. Not seen the MIC 'cos I can only access via library/archive on rainy days!!

The TR number is tantalising 'cos his dad, my Taid, John Lewis is shown centre row to right and behind the Chaplain in this group taken around 1900 outside the local drill hall.

Itching to get to archives now.

I knew my Taid and both uncles well. Herbert lived to ninety seven. Thanks again, Jules