Gloucestershire Regiment Group Photo

[Seadog]

Below is just one of the original photos which form a collection relating to a Bristol man who served in the 1/6^th Gloucestershire Regiment throughout the war and survived. My reason for posting this image is to ask members their opinion of just what group this may portray. The man himself is sitting cross-legged third from the left on the bottom row. A postcard sent by his wife is addressed as follows:

11th Section

A Company

1/6th Gloucester’s

Could this be 11^th Section? there must have been a reason for this grouping and any thoughts would be appreciated.

Norman

[charlesmessenger]

Thgis looks like his platoon, wth the officer commanding in the middle, rather than his section, which would have been a mere 12 men or so. If he was No 11 Section and there are four sections to a platoon, one could deduce that he was in No 3 Platoon.

Charles M

[Seadog]

Thanks Charles this info will be added to the photo on Flickr which may then be of interest to those viewing the image..

Norman

[simon2]

Hi Norman,

I would swing towards platoon than section like Charles. This mainly because of the size.

The group with an Officer, Senior + Junior NCO's and OR's suggests platoon.

On the other hand as there are two Imperial Service badges on show it may be a training

section pre - overseas service. This may be the answer for more men than usual. Not all

could have gone overseas and others were given additional roles maybe. It could be a

'passing out' photo opportunity with their platoon or company C.O.

Simon.

[Seadog]

Thanks Simon

Norman

[Old Owl]

They appear to have cloth shoulder titles--does this date the photo more accurately? Possibly 1918?

Robert

[Seadog]

Robert, with apologies to those members who have no doubt seen all this before here is the complete collection, now in the Regimental Museum. Click on image for description and "open photo in new window" to view on Flickr and enlarge etc.

Norman

http://www.flickr.com/photos/glosters/sets/72157601071707940/

[Old Owl]

Many thanks Norman.

Robert

[simon2]

They appear to have cloth shoulder titles--does this date the photo more accurately? Possibly 1918?

Robert

Not necessarily.

Cloth shoulder titles were used much earlier than 1918.

I have seen a few examples (photos) held at the Regimental Museum in Gloucester of soldiers in

mainly Territorial units with cloth titles dated 1914.

Norman I have seen that collection and it's a remarkable group of items.

Simon.

[Seadog]

Thanks Simon, it just goes to show how important these items were to both Tom and his Wife and subsequently to their Daughter who ensured that they survived and I am sure that there will be many other similar examples still existing with the members of this forum.

Norman

[simon2]

They are very important now as well as back then.

My collections for my 2 x GGF's and my wife's GGF + GU will be passed down to my

son, who is very interested in history, family and military. If I did not have any kids

then I would leave them to their respective Regimental Museums.

Regards,

Simon.

[Old Owl]

Many thanks Simon for clearing that up. I had thought for years that cloth s/titles were a post WW1 innovation(1920's), but quite clearly from the photo collection they were a much earlier addition and also presumably much cheaper to produce for Territorials, who were, after all, 'part-timers'.

If I may hijack this thread momentarily, I wonder if you have ever come across a group photo of the 1/6th Bn Officers circa Sept 1914 to Sept 1915? I am looking for an image of a Lieut/Capt Paget George Irvine who was Kia 26/11/15.

Cheers, Robert

[Seadog]

Hijack away Robert your quest sounds interesting!

Norman

[Old Owl]

Consider yourself hijacked

Hopefully someone may know the whereabouts of a group photo.

Many thanks, Robert

[simon2]

I haven't come across a group photo of officers of the 1/6th.

At the museum there are a few group photos but mainly of other ranks. I have checked the Clifton RFC website,

he is mentioned but no pic and also Gloucestershire Archives is negative as well. If I come across anything

I'll post.

[Guest marktrapnell]

You may try the Peter Littlewood book entitled Gallantry awards to the Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-1918 published by Spink ISBN 1902040708. On page 87 there is possibly an account of the action he participated in, as well a a photo of the officers from Dec 1914. ( although I do not see his name in the caption of those photographed)

Good luck!

[Guest marktrapnell]

Ps I have in my book that he "died of wounds" on 26/11/15, which may have been an action previous to that date.

[Guest chriscollins]

My Uncle served with the 1/6th Glos regiment, and was killed in action 23/07/16 near ovillers, _Poizzieres Somme. weve never seen a photo of him, you never know he could be in this one ??. I have his medals,

thanks for showing

his name.. W.H.Butland.. Private, born a lived in Bristol