Toby Brayley Posted 7 January , 2019 Share Posted 7 January , 2019 I recently acquired this unsent postcard of General Staff on manoeuvres (purely because it features a very rare shot of Military Mounted Policeman at work). They all wear pre 1912 Officers SD with closed collars and the large rear box pleat. I was wondering if anyone could assist me in identifying any of the individuals pictured. Thank you kindly in advance. Toby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Brayley Posted 15 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2019 Any thoughts on this from the wonderful hive mind? Thanks in advance Toby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 The top one looks like Sir Thomas (Slush) D’Oyly Snow Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Brayley Posted 15 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2019 1 minute ago, Skipman said: The top one looks like Sir Thomas (Slush) D’Oyly Snow Mike Thank you Mike, with that distinct two tone Moustache and his medals/awards it would certainly seem so. Thank you once again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 This looks like Haig to me. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) I suspect that the scene might relate to the 1912 or 1913 Military Manoeuvres, in both of which D’Oyly Snow commanded one of the Divisions (4th - as he later did in the war). In 1912, as part of Grierson’s victorious enemy (‘Blue’) force, which defeated Haig’s force that was being tested. See: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Army_Manoeuvres_of_1912 Edited 15 April , 2019 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle George Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 14 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said: I suspect that the scene relates to the 1912 Military Manoeuvres ... Attached is from Robertson’s memoirs. He tells us it is of the 1913 Army Manoeuvres - the officers are wearing a different order of dress (if that’s the right term). Why would this be (genuine question)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) It’s the King escorted by his ADC and some general staff. They are all wearing ‘blue patrols’ so that they stand out clearly. The exercising troops and their commanding generals for the most part wore SD, which had been decreed as ‘field’ service dress since 1902. Edited 15 April , 2019 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Uncle George Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) 36 minutes ago, Skipman said: This looks like Haig to me. Mike He has no lace on the peak of his cap. Does this tell us he was junior to Brigadier General? If so, he’s not Haig (I think). 2 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said: It’s the King escorted by his ADC and some general staff. They are all wearing ‘blue patrols’ so that they stand out clearly. The exercising troops and their commanding generals for the most part wore SD, which had been decreed as ‘field’ dress since 1902. Thanks. Edited 15 April , 2019 by Uncle George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) Lace was only worn on blue and red caps with leather peaks, which initially (1902) were ordered to be worn with a khaki cover leaving just the peak exposed. Edited 15 April , 2019 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Hall Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 Second photo . Officer on the extreme right. Is this Smith - Dorrien? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 Just now, Gunner Hall said: Second photo . Officer on the extreme right. Is this Smith - Dorrien? I too thought that, or possibly Sir Ian Hamilton (not sure he was there) Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 15 April , 2019 Admin Share Posted 15 April , 2019 I was going to suggest Hamilton as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 3 hours ago, Skipman said: This looks like Haig to me. Mike He is a full Colonel, note the cuff rank. General officers (Brigadier General and above) wore rank on their shoulder straps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunner Hall Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) I've looked at this photo for some time and must say I'm suffering from a severe case of moustache blindness. Just can't seem to see past them. Smith Dorrien had was GOC Aldershot command until March '12, when he was appointed GOC Southern Command. (Apparently Haig took over Aldershot.) At the same time, Sir Ian Hamilton was Inspector General of overseas forces. Not that this excludes him. I'm making the huge assumption that Smith - Dorrien as GOC Southern Command - would be there keeping an eye on things. As for the others, I can't spot anyone who resembles Allenby, Lomax, Lawson, Briggs - or for that matter, Rawlinson. That could be "Slush" though. He's tall enogh to be a Snow. Edited 15 April , 2019 by Gunner Hall Frogsmile has better vision and greater knowledge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 11 minutes ago, FROGSMILE said: He is a full Colonel, note the cuff rank. General officers (Brigadier General and above) wore rank on their shoulder straps. I bow to your knowledge. There is a similarity though, especially when I remembered a later photograph of Haig. Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Brayley Posted 15 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2019 15 minutes ago, Gunner Hall said: I've looked at this photo for some time and must say I'm suffering from a severe case of moustache blindness. I had exactly the same problem! Many thanks to all the contributions so far. I am confident that the main man is Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow (G-Grandfather of Dan Snow!). Regards Toby Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 (edited) 2 hours ago, Skipman said: I bow to your knowledge. There is a similarity though, especially when I remembered a later photograph of Haig. Mike Yes, although it is troublesome when you have an almost identical silhouette comprising SD cap, short greying hair and archetypal military moustache. If you look in the large photo his cuff rank is unmistakable, and of course he has a plain, SD cap. Edited 15 April , 2019 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 15 April , 2019 Share Posted 15 April , 2019 2 hours ago, Toby Brayley said: Sir Thomas D’Oyly Snow (G-Grandfather of Dan Snow!). Regards Toby But don't hold it against him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toby Brayley Posted 15 April , 2019 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2019 3 hours ago, Steven Broomfield said: But don't hold it against him. I knew someone would bite (I thought it might be you). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 16 April , 2019 Share Posted 16 April , 2019 I aim to please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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