Tavern Druid Posted 1 November , 2014 Share Posted 1 November , 2014 Dear Forum members Still could post see the attachment so have started a new post. If dont work may need help as I am obviously doing something wrong. My friend bought this postcard at a postcard fair. The seller thought that it might have been taken in Kent, somewhere ! Also that they might be PoW's. On closer inspection they are not PoW's as they clearly have rifles with them. But they don't look like British soldiers. Would any member be able to identify the uniform please? They have an interesting insignia on the sleeve. Also high collars with what looks like some sought of braiding which also appear on the shoulders. And one or two are wearing white cross belts. Although these may just be individual haversacks. Most seem to have forage caps but one man is wearing what looks like some sought of helmet. He is to the right (as we look at it) and in front of the windmill between the rifle stacks. Sorry dont know what the correct term is for these. They are at rest and eating there meal. Any help would be most welcome David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rollerbeadle Posted 1 November , 2014 Share Posted 1 November , 2014 Its very difficult to make anything out......mind you...my eyes are not what they were.... it might be worth considering doing a better resolution scan of a smaller segment..i.e. the 4 gentlemen seated front right........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tavern Druid Posted 1 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2014 Hi I have suggested enlarged a couple of ares and will post them separate as the go over the limit. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tavern Druid Posted 1 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 November , 2014 Hi A second enlargement of the postcard. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 1 November , 2014 Share Posted 1 November , 2014 Hello David I'm pretty certain that they aren't British, French, German or Russian - the sleeve insignia don't fit. Austro-Hungarian or Italian are possibilities although the windmill does suggest Belgian or Dutch. I think the braided collars are wrong for Belgians, though. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 What is on the back of the postcard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
munce Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Interesting slouch hat in the first picture... and white slings on the rifles, and leather gaiters or calf-high boots. But the rank chevron does look very British, although the cuff and collar braiding don't. Sorry, not much help! Interesting picture, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 My 1st though was for Rifle Volunteers, the rifles in the pile,will give a clue to era and nationality zoom in on the breech mechanism of the rifles to the right of the seated figure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tavern Druid Posted 2 November , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Hi Johnboy The back of the postcard is printed in English but has not got a manufacturers name on it. The blank and not been filled in by anyone. Thanks for all your replies, seems like it may remain a mystery. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IRC Kevin Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Interesting variety of uniform/headgear The only thing in common appears to be jackboots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Leather boots and no waistbelt suggests that they might be Yeomanry, period circa 1880 to 1914. The rifles seem to have magazines, so may be Lee Enfield or perhaps Lee Metford? In my post 5, please insert "regular" after "British"! Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khaki Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Is it possible that the photograph is Boer War vintage?, that might account for the variety of uniforms. khaki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 I'm going back to my original thought of Rifle Volunteers, the rifles seem to be almost certainly Enfields, the tunics appear to have a single loop cuff cord, and those wearing side caps have a light coloured piping on the flaps. G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 But Rifle Volunteers usually had waistbelts. They might have taken them off in camp, of course. Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 2 November , 2014 Share Posted 2 November , 2014 Different battalions had different standing orders, it was usual when eating that waistbelts and headress was removed, but as they are outside headress may still be required. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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