Moya RHODES Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Hello, this family photo shows 2 soldiers born in Gorton, Manchester. I know not who they served with, nor their ranks, only given 2 names - James aka Jimmy MEEHAN b 1884 (POW) & a Patrick John MEEHAN b1876/78. I am curious as to their Military History and what their stripes mean. I can see 'pipe smoking soldier' has 1 wound stripe, lower left sleeve and is it a badge above it? I can't determine badge on hat or what is on his lapels. Would the other soldier with his hand in his pocket have served overseas in the calvary given his boots and breeches? Hope someone can help. I have always loved this photo and intrigued about these lads. Thanks Moya Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little bob Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Have found Pension papers for a John Patrick Meehan born 1876. Served as s/2/11184 Army Service Corps and later 202888 1/4 Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Occupation given as butcher, married Ellen Allen 8th October 1900. Attested 4th September 1914 aged 39. Home 4/9/1914 - 22/7/1915 France 23/7/1915 - 21/11/1916 Home 22/11/1916 - 13/2/1917 Egypt 14/2/1917 - 1/2/1919 Home 2/2/1919 - 15/3/1919 Suffered gunshot wound to left calf 19/4/1917, also suffered from Malaria. Could this be your man? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 The service file Bob has found notes that the man originated from Gorton, so seems a reasonable bet - although the man is John Patrick, not Patrick John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corisande Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 The ICRC site does not seem to yield a James as a POW. Get the list here http://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search/#/3/2/107/0/British and Commonwealth/Military/meehan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Bob, I can't find his Service Record on Ancestry. I found it on FMPast but no wife's name, just DofM. & can't see any home address. There is this entry in FMPast newspaper: FATHER AND SON MEET ON ACTIVE SERVICE. Driver J. Meehan, of the Royal Garrison Artillery, whose home is in James-street, West Gorton, and who is stationed " somewhere in France," in a letter home tell 3 of the meeting of father and son. He says: The other 13 April 1915 - Manchester Evening News - Manchester, Greater Kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnboy Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Is the man on the left an officer> Tie and different tunic? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little bob Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Kath It's a pension record on Ancestry Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 (edited) 12 minutes ago, little bob said: Kath It's a pension record on Ancestry Bob Thanks, will look again. Kath. Still can't find it Edited 28 July , 2016 by Kath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little bob Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Kath The only search term I used was John Patrick Meehan no date,location or service number. I've got no idea how to post a link.Hopefully some kind soul will do the honours. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clk Posted 28 July , 2016 Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Hi, I think that this is the link to the record Bob found. Regards Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moya RHODES Posted 28 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 28 July , 2016 Thank you all for your feedback. There were 2 Patrick Meehans in MAN to confuse us. The other was born 1879 Bolton, at 32y he was single & a bricklayer - not our Pat. Our Pats Irish parents are James & Margaret Mary (nee Geoghegan). 1901 Census 23y shows Pat no longer lived at home, didn't follow his father into Beyer Peacocks who was a Machine Slotter & bro Matthew an Iron Turner. There is a Pat Meehan - R Dub-Fus 22465, RE 607341, R Ir Fus 27896, Lab Corps 121308 but don't know if this fits with him? Mum never referred to Patrick as John but thats not to say he didn't take up his mid name... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 29 July , 2016 Share Posted 29 July , 2016 I am leaning towards the RDF man, it looks like there is a grenade on his shoulder strap and the badge does seem to have the right shape for a Dubs badge.The other gent appears to have an officers tunic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murrough Posted 29 July , 2016 Share Posted 29 July , 2016 There appears to be overseas chevrons on the officers tunic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kath Posted 29 July , 2016 Share Posted 29 July , 2016 19 hours ago, clk said: I think that this is the link to the record Bob found. Thank you, Chris. Kath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moya RHODES Posted 30 July , 2016 Author Share Posted 30 July , 2016 Thank you Murrough, very interesting. What does that mean to have a grenade badge (Artillery?) What do you think the shiny badge on his sleeve above his wounded strip is? And the way RDF wears his hat casually tilted back, that would be because it's a casual fam photo rather than the way he should wear it right? The Officers tunic - is the cut of the chest pocket flaps indicative of anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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