Stephen Nulty Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 This is part of a picture that I have showing a group of men in the UK. I don't know who they are or when it was taken, though I do know it was in Prescot (my home town) in Lancashire. The old Watch Factory in Prescot had been the base of the 17th King's (Liverpool) Regiment from September 1914 to April 1915 and it was then used for other units throughout the war, so I suppose they could be from any number of different units. I'd be grateful if any uniform experts could perhaps give me a clue Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 (edited) No cap badges ? Can't seem to see any obvious wound stripes, ribbons, overseas chevrons etc so it suggest it was earlier in the war rather than later. Craig Edited 24 July , 2018 by ss002d6252 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 24 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 24 July , 2018 Hi Craig Yes, I thought it had an "early in the war" feel about it, but also noticed the lack of badges or other insignia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragoon Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 The chap 4th from the right, if my eyes tell me right, looks like a bottom of a bugle horn??? LI Regt blacked badge, rifles?? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 The famous 'ruptured duck' cap badges had all been issued by the end of 1914 so perhaps before this date? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 They're not carrying SMLEs as far as I can see, and they have the 1914 leather equipment (I think). The buttons might be black and I think they might have cap badges (there's certainly a circular-looking blemish on several of the caps where a badge might be). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T8HANTS Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 They seem to have a quartermaster sale of equipment, with a mixture of valise and 03 bandolier and not all of it matching. I'm almost seeing 03 greatcoat carriers holding up valise pouches on locket belts, the overall effect is magnificently 'orrible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ss002d6252 Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 The men in the back look all quite young - perhaps the younger men left behind by a battalion or some sort of cadets that got the stuff the QM dragged out from the back of the store room. Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave66 Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 Majority of the lads second row all have kitbags by their feet, so on or just returned from travels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 24 July , 2018 Admin Share Posted 24 July , 2018 4 hours ago, Dragoon said: The chap 4th from the right, if my eyes tell me right, looks like a bottom of a bugle horn??? LI Regt blacked badge, rifles?? Chris I can see a bugle too, my initial thoughts were SOMLI but as far as I can see, they weren't in that neck of the woods. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragoon Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 6th Bn kings Liverpool maybe?...... Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragoon Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 (edited) The rifles are CLLEs (Charger Loading Lee-Enfields) after the introduction of the MkIII SMLE in 1907 this modification was introduced to allow the use of Charger clips of 5 rounds on earlier rifles. The foresight protector wings are not present on MLEs and are diagnostic. CLLEs were very common in territorial units in 1914/5 which gives a 1908-1915 window. As noted the mix of 1903 Bandolier equipment earlier patterns suggests this is a 1914-early 15 mobilization or K1 picture to me. Chris Edited 24 July , 2018 by 4thGordons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 24 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 24 July , 2018 Thanks everyone, I appreciate the feedback and suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 24 July , 2018 Share Posted 24 July , 2018 (edited) Territorial Force battalion I think with key evidence from the rifles and mixture of equipment noted by T8Hants. My bet would be on the black badge and buttons (inherited from their RVC origins) of the 6th Kings (Liverpool), as suggested by Dragoon. The photo seems typical of the early days of auxiliary forces mobilisation and embodiment. Edited 24 July , 2018 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 25 July , 2018 Author Share Posted 25 July , 2018 Thanks for that :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 July , 2018 Share Posted 25 July , 2018 18 minutes ago, Stephen Nulty said: Thanks for that :-) Some very young soldiers apparent, and no doubt some underage for legal deployment to F&F. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 25 July , 2018 Share Posted 25 July , 2018 Chap on the left has a rifle in his right hand and a swagger stick in his left hand. Must have been fun to watch when the order to "slope" was given... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanA Posted 26 July , 2018 Share Posted 26 July , 2018 On 24/07/2018 at 14:29, Steven Broomfield said: (there's certainly a circular-looking blemish on several of the caps where a badge might be). Some troops in the Liverpool pals, with no cap badge, sewed a button where the badge should be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 January , 2020 Share Posted 15 January , 2020 On 26/07/2018 at 19:12, IanA said: Some troops in the Liverpool pals, with no cap badge, sewed a button where the badge should be. They would have been a unit converted to the new Training Reserve, who were ordered to wear buttons in their caps, and coincidentally with a piece of scarlet cloth behind, just as with the cap badges of 6th King’s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glengarry1950 Posted 18 January , 2020 Share Posted 18 January , 2020 (edited) I like what every one has said about this interesting photograph, and now armed with the knowledge of the comments made, I am drawn to think there are a cadet unit early in the War from a private school, the front three are all supporting L/Cpl Chevron's, however, the one with the swagger stick and facial hair is wearing his equipment with a degree of professionalism and look older, where the two his left look like a sack of potatoes. Stephen you mention that this a bit of a larger photograph, are you able to post the whole photograph there may be other clues waiting to be discovered? The equipment worn I believe is the Home Service Bandolier 1903 Pattern and the rifles are the 1895 Lee-Enfield and the 1888 Pattern Bayonet just visible on soldier right. I have posted a photograph taken at the KOSB Depot between circa 1903 -1908, illustrating the very same equipment being worn with a mixture of 1887 Lee-Metford and 1895 Lee-Enfield rifles. After research and using local newspapers I was able to put a time frame when this photograph was take, (The Regimental Museum had no record of it) the Colonel of the Regiments Annual Parade, where the depot troops were inspected and LS&GC were presented, not Warrant Officer in full Dress far right wearing Kilmarnock Bonnet and medals. PS The soldiers are waring clothe regimental titles, 1908 saw the introduction of brass regimental titles to KOSB. Cheers Hiram Edited 18 January , 2020 by Glengarry1950 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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