steveadams261 Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 I realize that this isn't the most useful photo, but it is all I have of my grandfather James Nevin (or Nivin) Here is what I know for context: - he was born near Glasgow - the photo was taken in Liverpool in 1917. He also lived in Liverpool post-war for a few years before moving to Canada. - in the military, he did something with horses Thanks for any clues you might come up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Royal Artillery of some form, I'd say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Looks lika RA badge. Wearing spurs so possibly driver RFA? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 If he he has a middle initial T possiblity is John T Nevin 85088 RFA Also there is John Nevin 37690 RGA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Definitely an artilleryman, looks to be wearing a trade badge on the upper right sleeve, possibly a wheel so he could be a Wheelwright, a more enhanced view of the badge may confirm this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 (edited) There is a MiC for a Saddler 1327 (675398) James Nevin RFA TF. The 2nd number was issued to the 1st Brigade RFA West Lancashire Division late 1916 early 1917, this brigade was later renamed CCLXXV (I West Lancs) Brigade, RFA. should also add that there is a 159973 James B Nevin RFA in the MiCs and service papers, address given as Liverpool and aged 18yrs 180 days in September 1916 Edited 11 January , 2016 by jay dubaya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveadams261 Posted 11 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Thanks for all of the quick feedback. I don't think we can do much more with the photo, and there aren't any others at this point. I don't believe that he ever used a middle initial. I'm pretty sure he's not James B Nevin from Liverpool - I came across that record in Ancestry but the other related info didn't line up. Could you point me to a page that helps me decipher the aconyms? (MiC, RFA, RGA etc.?) Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Long Long Trail, top left of this page is a mine of info To get you started http://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-royal-artillery-in-the-first-world-war/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wainfleet Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 MIC = medal index card. RFA = Royal Field Artillery. RGA = Royal Garrison Artillery. Odds on he is RFA as he is dressed for mounted duties in breeches and spurs - the RFA's 15 pounder guns were pulled by a horse team with mounted drivers, whilst the RGA's heavier guns were moved by tractor or very slowly by horses or mules without riders. I am fairly sure about that last bit, but whatever the case most RGA men (but not all) are seen in photos wearing the regular trousers issued to all men on dismounted duties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Also wearing spurs. May suggest he's a Driver. I think the Saddler identified above is the most likely candidate. Is a better scan of his arm badge possible? Rgds Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Just to clarify spurs were worn by RFA & RHA Gunners as well as Drivers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Standard dress though? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 As far as I'm aware, but happy to be corrected. I should also add that a Saddler was a trade which warranted the wearing of an arm badge of a horses 'bit'. Also there is a MiC for a Cpl 675444 Abraham E Nevin RFA TF, the service number being allocated to the same brigade Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 11 January , 2016 Share Posted 11 January , 2016 Nice one. 1911 Census for Abraham here - born 1894. 22 Cambridge Street, Wavertree, Liverpool. No James mentioned I'm afraid. http://search.ancestry.com.au/cgi-bin/sse.dll?gss=angs-g&new=1&rank=1&gsfn=abraham+&gsfn_x=1&gsln=nevin&gsln_x=1&cpxt=1&cp=11&MSAV=0&uidh=tg7&pcat=ROOT_CATEGORY&h=20650271&db=1911England&indiv=1&ml_rpos=1 Rgds Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asanewt Posted 12 January , 2016 Share Posted 12 January , 2016 Best I can do with limited kit. The result is good enough to suggest a good magnifier on the original will identify the badge. Drum?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 12 January , 2016 Share Posted 12 January , 2016 Or a Harness Maker / Saddler arm badge Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 I think it's a Sadler trade badge. I'd be pretty comfortable your man is the one identified by JD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 Minor point; saddler etc was an appointment, not a trade, so the badge is of the appointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 Minor point; saddler etc was an appointment, not a trade, so the badge is of the appointment. But a minor point I constantly overlook, thanks for the correction (again) Grumpy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 "trade" ["vulgar trade!"] is a rather modern usage because we need a sensible collective adjective for the whole bag of badges for skill-at-arms, prize, appointment, instructor, qualification and goodness knows what else that soldiers could attain. It is, of course, the collective used by most collectors! I don't like it, obviously, but then there are lots of things I don't like but cannot change. When zooming in on an individual badge, the proper adjective reminds us where it should be worn, so is useful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amandalaws Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 Hi how about having a go at naming this one - I thought it was 15th hussars but now not sure. A member of the Price family possibly Geoffrey Wilmot Price born 1894 service no. 16677 Thanks in anticipation of help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 or 14th ........ with the gap between circlet and scroll? Badge left sleeve is very likely HG in wreath, Hotchkiss first class gunner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackblue Posted 13 January , 2016 Share Posted 13 January , 2016 Medal Index Card and Medal Rolls list only 15th Hussars. Rgds Tim D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveadams261 Posted 15 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2016 I've attached a better view of the shoulder badge. It is (to me) consistent with the Saddlers insignia that Dubaya posted - do you agree? Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveadams261 Posted 15 January , 2016 Author Share Posted 15 January , 2016 Final (?) question. The MiC card (portion attached) has a date of 29-9-15. Am I right that that would be the date of being posted to France (and not the date of enlistment?). Thank you all for your help. I didn't expect to get so far with just one old picture. Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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