Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 My grand uncle b. 1893. I don’t know much about him, I think he served in WW1 but haven’t confirmed yet. I recently received this picture from a cousin. Any help appreciated, thanks in advance. Any significance to the collar pins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) It’s a very odd combination, with “universal grenade” collar badges and cavalry shoulder chains. The origin of the collar grenade was with the Royal Artillery, so the only rationale that might fit with this combination is Royal Horse Artillery somewhere like India or another colonial possession where the potential for action against native belligerents with razor sharp swords is high. Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 Thank you Frogsmile, I just discovered a couple documents since your post. I'm not sure if this is him but threes a good possibility. Looks like he was in the Balkans. ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) RFA is a possibility, they were mounted too, although they did not work closely with the cavalry formations as the RHA did. I would be surprised if he wore that uniform in Salonika, it was very much a war in khaki drab. If it is the same man he might have earlier service before the war. It wouldn’t generally be recorded on his medal index card. He was definitely in the RHA in that photo, I’ve just spotted that he has the ball buttons that were only worn by that part of the artillery. If it is indeed your great uncle then he definitely had previous service. Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 Haven’t been able to find anything else yet. I thought it might be some type of dress uniform, hence the portrait picture. Thanks for your input ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) 3 minutes ago, Jeff Pitre said: Haven’t been able to find anything else yet. I thought it might be some type of dress uniform, hence the portrait picture. Thanks for your input ! No it’s not a dress uniform, it’s a blue patrol frock (type of jacket) from the late 1890s that was used in the field before the khaki drab service dress was introduced in 1902. The shoulder chains were worn to protect the shoulders from a downwards sword cut. The chains match with the buttons and confirm my original thoughts about RHA. Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 OK, good to know. I've been searching the National Archives and Anscestry. No access to Find my Past which seems to have a lot of records. Thanks again!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Jeff Pitre said: OK, good to know. I've been searching the National Archives and Anscestry. No access to Find my Past which seems to have a lot of records. Thanks again!! In this picture you can see the shoulder chains in use. The RHA had smaller less heavy guns that could move rapidly in the support of the cavalry. India is the most likely place before WW1. The chains were adopted on frocks by the RHA (in emulation of the cavalry) in 1898. Also pictures of the post WW1 version of the frock (circa 1928). Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 Just noticed the images you sent, they didn't show on my phone. Beautiful buttons.!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) 4 minutes ago, Jeff Pitre said: Just noticed the images you sent, they didn't show on my phone. Beautiful buttons.!! Yes, only worn by the RHA and plainly seen on the frock in your photo. Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 I hope I can find more. Very interesting history. I have some family still in England, no one knows anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 (edited) 14 minutes ago, Jeff Pitre said: I hope I can find more. Very interesting history. I have some family still in England, no one knows anything. This is the dress (ceremonial) jacket that he would have worn. It is still worn by the sole surviving ‘King’s Troop’ today. Edited 25 April , 2020 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 25 April , 2020 Share Posted 25 April , 2020 1 hour ago, Jeff Pitre said: OK, good to know. I've been searching the National Archives and Anscestry. No access to Find my Past which seems to have a lot of records. Thanks again!! There’s not a great deal extra on FMP. His M.M. was listed in the London gazette 11/11/16, his unit is recorded as HQ. 147th Brigade. Looking at close numbers it looks like he enlisted January 1915. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Pitre Posted 25 April , 2020 Author Share Posted 25 April , 2020 GWF1967 Thank you very much for this information. Every little bit helps. Frogsmile, wow those uniforms are beautiful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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