Two uniforms now

[Idlewild]

Hi,

I posted earlier in the year attempting to find information on my Great Grandfather but I had no service records or any idea what regiment he served in apart from this picture which had been cropped.

After digging around photo albums I uncovered the bigger version below, no idea who the other man is, could be related but not sure.

So information I have on him, the man in the chair is as follows;

Thomas Melville

Born Dundee 1884

Married in 1907

Two children born in 1914 and 1917

Died Dundee 1924

and a rumour that he enlisted in 1916.

Any info would help on Identifying which regiment he belonged too and the other gent on the right as well.

Thanks a lot folks

Andy

[trenchtrotter]

Im going for...seated Royal Scottish Fusiliers and stading a Gordon Highlander....

TT

[Idlewild]

I think someone in the earlier post thought RSF because of the medallion/chain thats hanging on his pocket. Its a pain because of the angle his caps at. Is the second figure a Corporal due to the braiding?

[Muerrisch]

after July 1916: the badges for the wounded tell us that.

[gordon92]

Man standing is defdinitely a Gordon Highlander as denoted by his cap badge and belled garter flashes.

The seated soldier is almost certainly a RSF as others have indicated.

[4thGordons]

100% on the Gordon (standing) as Gordon92 indicates.

"braid" on his shoulder is a lanyard (for pocket knife - you can see the end disappearing into his top pocket) - not an indication of rank, issued to all men on active service.

Seated man could be RSF but could equally be a number of others in my view - can't see enough to go on, could even be another Gordon despite the trousers. The badge seems a little "flat" to me to be RSF I would expect to see it more domed/rounded if it was the Fusiliers grenade badge but as you say the angle of the glengarry makes it very hard. The watch fob in the pocket is a red herring as far as unit ID goes I would say, it could be almost anything (temperance medal, religious symbol etc)

Chris

[Idlewild]

So this picture was taken after summer 1916? Sorry I can't see a wounds badge? Thanks for the help folks

Andy

[4thGordons]

Wound badge is the stripe on the the left forearm of the standing Gordon.

Chris

[jay dubaya]

Wound stripes - there's two of 'em

Jon

[Khaki]

The Fusilier (seated) doesn't appear to be wearing a Scottish 'cutaway' fronted blouse, am I right? , I do understand that both were worn although his appears to be a little 'generous' in size.

khaki

[gordon92]

I think I can see a bulbous protrusion at the bottom of the cap badge on the seated man consistent with RSF. Some possibility of KOSB but less likely in my opinion.

[Blackblue]

Do you have an address for him Andy and did he have brothers?

There are a few Melvilles on the Absent Voters List....but no Thomas I'm afraid.

Rgds

Tim D

[trenchtrotter]

Cut away tunics were worn with kilt. Not sure if units other than those wore them. The RSF were a trousered regiment. Support for the theory he is a RSF?

TT

[Idlewild]

Hi folks,

only address I have is 33 Forebank Road, Dundee from when he got married in 1907. Brothers, he had two John and Alexander. Alexander joined the Black Watch at the outbreak of war but was exempted a few months later due to epilepsy. John Melville I don't have any service records for.

[Idlewild]

Update, received an email today from a distant relative helping with the search and he has Thomas's discharge papers.

Unit he was discharged from was the Labour Corps.

Rank Private, Number 202002

Enlisted March 1916

Discharged 18th December 1917

Reason Para 392 XVI KR, No longer physically fit for war service

And the reason the for the blouse looking a little on the big side may be down to the fact he is listed as 5ft 3.

Still no closer to figuring which Regiment he was attached to but I'll keep digging.

Cheers

Andy

[Blackblue]

Neither brother recorded on AVL either I'm afraid. Any idea who is friend is in the photo?

As you say 1772 PTE Alexander Melville served between 9/8/1914 and 4/7/1915 with 2/6th Black Watch. Claim that he had epilepsy bought on when he hit his head when falling from a cart when a train frightened the horse. Claims to be been a former territorial with the 4th Black Watch.

Unfortunately Thomas doesn't appear to have received a Silver War Badge either. There is a Thomas Melville listed who served as 8193 with the Black Watch and was discharged in Perth, but he served from 1901.

Rgds

Tim D

[Idlewild]

Another update. Looking on the Friends of Dundee City Archives, have found 3 entries for a T. Melville listed under the Red Cross hospital.

T. Melville Pte 202002

296th Labour Corp

Arbroath Hospital

Admitted 11th September 1917 - 25th September 1917

T. Melville Pte 202002

296th Labour Corp

Carnoustie Hall

Admitted 30th November 1917 - 18th December 1917

Admitted 30th November 1917 - 16th December 1917

It also lists his hometown as Dundee. Looks like this is him. Any way you think I could find out why he was hospitalised?

Andy

[Blackblue]

HI Andy,

Great find. PM Ivor Lee on the forum. He is the resident Labour Corps expert and may be able to assist with more details regarding 296th Coy and their origins.

Some of the Labour Corps companies were formed from Infantry 'Labour' and "Works' battalions, so there may be a link to a parent regiment.

Men sometimes retained 'affiliations' with parent regiments as the Labour Corps did not get their own badge until December 1918.

Rgds

Tim D

[Idlewild]

Will do, thanks everyone for the input over this. Greatly appreciated. You guys know your stuff, currently doing my mums side of the family tree so might be back once I get to that part of the family.

Cheers

Andy