Help with mystery postcard please

[SueJS]

Hi all

Not much to go on I'm afraid but I thought if anyone can help it will be you guys.

Any thoughts on the regiment would be appreciated. The postcard was taken by FD Shackley, Station Road, Bamber Bridge.

Does the cap badge shed any light?

[johnboy]

I'v e come across other pics by this photographer of RFA taken at Fulwood.

[Khaki]

Not much help, but I notice that the uniform blouse hanging on the rack (photographers left) seems to have a unit patch on the sleeve

khaki

[jay dubaya]

The cap looks upside down which makes the badge look very much like that of the artillery, be it field, garrison or horse

Jon

[squirrel]

Agree that it looks like an upside down RA badge.

[asanewt]

What do you mean upside down

[SueJS]

Thanks all, that certainly gives me something to go on. As it's this photographer should I concentrate on RFA Fulwood?

There is some writing on the back of the picture postcard by Joseph who I believe to be Joseph Grainger born 1877 (formerly chimney sweep). He was born in Surrey and later found in 1911 census as living in Stratford London. What is the likelyhood of him being stationed in Fulwood, Lancashire?

I have searched Ancestry for a MIC but there seem to be a number of possibilities. Also no obvious service record found yet.

Any further suggestions most welcome.

[The Inspector]

Hi All

Joseph Grainger died Whitechapel, London, June 1918, Vol 1c page 246 aged 41 yrs. 2 trees on Ancestry, he was the youngest of 8.

I wonder what was the cause of death, nothing matches on CWGC.

Regards Barry

SueJS....are you one of the tree owners?

[johnboy]

Joseph Grainger No 30292 Gunner RFA

Joseph William Grainger No 66487 Driver RFA

Joseph Grainger No 151487 Gunner RFA

Joseph Grainger No 14934 Gunner RFA

The above all seem to have survived. [not shown as killed in action]

The previously mentioned would seem to fit age wise but strange there is no commeration of his death in 1918. I'm no expert in these things but, it may be possible that he was invalided out after, say, 1915 and succombed to his wounds at home in 1918. If he went back to Stratford he could well have been at The London Hospital Whitechapel

If he was born 1877 is it possible he enlisted before the war? For example, if he enlisted at 18 [1895] he could well have done his time.. Not sure if he could have been recalled. 1901 census, Army pension records?

Try and check out those above.

Are there any numbers shown on the back of the photo?

[SueJS]

Thanks all for you ! It's good to be able to share these 'mysteries'.

Thanks JulesW for inverting the image, so we've established it's Royal Artillery and most likely RFA.

Thanks The Inspector and Johnboy for the look ups. Yes, my Joseph Grainger appears in my 'Sheil' tree on Ancestry. No numbers on the back of the postcard, just a message home, which suggests he had three younger brothers. His mother remarried, maybe they were half brothers.

I have searched Ancestry for a service record but nothing obvious for him comes up yet, will have a closer look at the ones you found Johnboy.

Sue

[daggers]

What about a flick through census records, which might reveal that grouping of names? Sorry I cannot oblige.

D

[The Inspector]

Hi All

Perhaps he was in S.Africa in 1901. There are 2 soldiers named J.Grainger on Ancestry. 1 was wounded and 1 a prisoner. Still looking.

Regards Barry

[SueJS]

Hi daggers & The Inspector

Have looked up the Military records on Ancestry but can't find any that match residence or birth date. I found the 1901 Census for Fulwood Barracks but no Graingers listed. Where do I look to find the J Graingers in South Africa Barry? Can I narrow it down to the Royal Lancaster Regiment?

As he was a chimney sweep (as were his parents) I'm wondering if it's likely he enlisted prior to WW1.

Sue

[johnboy]

Maybe a silly question..... but were Charles, Walter and Frank on the 1911 Census for Stratford,?

[The Inspector]

Hi Sue

UK Casualties of the Boer War 1899-1902. One was in the 1st Horse, the other the Worcestershire Regt. BUT these are the ones recorded, it doesn't mean he wasn't there if he was in the Army at the time!! Johnboy....No the children are not on the 1911 census, he is with his wife of 4 yrs, no children, his nephew and another male all chimney sweeps. No trace of siblings with surname Grainger.

Regards Barry

[johnboy]

He is shown as a sweep in Kellys Directory in 1914 at 4 Well stret Stratford.

[The Inspector]

Hi All

His mother remarried in 1888 in Chertsey, Surrey.. 2a,47. to Charles Godfrey. so the little brothers would presumably be younger than Joseph although there is a Frederick Godfrey born 1877 on the 1891 census, same age as Joseph, no Walter or Charlie. and his mother is 47 yrs old.

Regards Barry.

Charlie Grainger b.1893 Bagshot, Surrey 1911 Census with the Boyce family (step son of Joseph Boyce - army pensioner, son Joseph Boyce 16 yrs, shown as "sweep in London") and mother Martha Grainger, 1901 census with his Aunt Phoebe Hawthorne

Edited 5 August , 2013 by The Inspector

[The Inspector]

Hi Again

Jane Grainger, Joseph's sister, married Joseph Boyce in 1893 and Charlie Grainger is then shown as step-son on 1911 census. Looks like all the children moved around a lot. There is also a Walter Boyce!

Regards Barry

Sue...it is apparent that you already know most of the above, I don't think we can find anymore, happy hunting!

[SueJS]

Thanks Barry, you have been busy! I think you have solved the mystery of the three little brothers.

Thanks for all your help

Sue