LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 Hello I have recently begun the long-threatened task of ploughing through boxes of old photographs belonging to my grandparents and their siblings' generation that somehow I have become custodian of: it's really quite fascinating! The two sides of the family are now sorted separately but, as some of the boys in the photos weren't known to me, I'm struggling to know who is who. I wonder if anyone might be able to help by identifying the uniforms or badges and suggesting the corresponding regiments, and I can try and match them that way? Respectfully LynnM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 (edited) Royal Artillery (photo 1 - three tier shoulder title indicates Territorial Force (part-time auxiliaries)), Machine Gun Corps (photo 2) and Royal Flying Corps (photo 3 (left) and 4). Edited 5 April , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWF1967 Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 (edited) 1. Royal Artillery. Territorial Force. 2. Machine Gun Corps with M.G in wreath qualification badge on his left sleeve. & Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. 3. Royal Flying Corps + Unknown. 4. Royal Flying Corps. Cloth shoulder title on his upper arm. Edited 5 April , 2021 by GWF1967 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2021 That's amazing - both in your knowledge and kindness in responding so quickly. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 14 minutes ago, LynnM said: That's amazing - both in your knowledge and kindness in responding so quickly. Thank you. Glad to help Lynn. The three lads in the first two photos look like brothers don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2021 Indeed they are! As are those in photos three and four although the two lots of brothers are from different sides of the family. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 26 minutes ago, LynnM said: Indeed they are! As are those in photos three and four although the two lots of brothers are from different sides of the family. Such good quality photos, I wonder how many of them survived. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 2nd photo - the sailor on the left is RNVR, & his rate is Telegraphist. Photos are really superb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2021 Thank you but how on earth have you deduced he's a Telegraphist? I'm so impressed by such knowledge! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 I think it’s probably the badge on his sleeve Lynn. There were a series of ascending grades and your photo shows the basic, start point qualification. The badge was in two three quality’s, best in bullion, working in red, and blue for tropical whites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2021 I've just done some more digging and just found a record that has his rank/rating recorded as "0.Tel." I guess that ties up? Could I ask something else please? I have his War and Victory medals and engraved around the outside are a series of number, two letters then his initials and surname but then what looks like "R.A,F." . If he was in the RNVR why would it have the RAF on the medals - or does it mean something else in this instance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 (edited) 47 minutes ago, LynnM said: I've just done some more digging and just found a record that has his rank/rating recorded as "0.Tel." I guess that ties up? Could I ask something else please? I have his War and Victory medals and engraved around the outside are a series of number, two letters then his initials and surname but then what looks like "R.A,F." . If he was in the RNVR why would it have the RAF on the medals - or does it mean something else in this instance? It’s possible that he transferred from the Royal Naval Air Service, which on 1 April 1918 merged with the Army’s Royal Flying Corps to form the Royal Air Force. In accordance with convention they (the RAF) would then have applied for his service medals after the war and so RAF would be inscribed on the medal’s rim. NB. I think that the ‘O’ stood for ‘Ordinary’ Telegraphist. Edited 5 April , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 5 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 5 April , 2021 Marvellous - thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 7 minutes ago, LynnM said: Marvellous - thank you! I’m glad to help Lynn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 O Tel = Ordinary Telegraphist. He was just commencing his training. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mancpal Posted 5 April , 2021 Share Posted 5 April , 2021 The MGC chap in photo 2 has a wound stripe beneath his gunners badge, he also wears a wedding ring which may also help you date that particular photo. Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 6 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2021 Good morning and my thanks again for the information so freely shared. mancpal - I didn't register that mark on the sleeve at all and will look further into this. RNCVR - again, something new I've learned already today! FROGSMILE - you wondered how many of them survived. Even though I haven't quite identified the young man in photo1, I am certain they all survived their service. I have come across a small photo of the unidentified chap in photo 3, but this time wearing a cap and wonder if it is any more use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 6 April , 2021 Share Posted 6 April , 2021 26 minutes ago, LynnM said: Good morning and my thanks again for the information so freely shared. mancpal - I didn't register that mark on the sleeve at all and will look further into this. RNCVR - again, something new I've learned already today! FROGSMILE - you wondered how many of them survived. Even though I haven't quite identified the young man in photo1, I am certain they all survived their service. I have come across a small photo of the unidentified chap in photo 3, but this time wearing a cap and wonder if it is any more use? I think he’s probably Army Service Corps (ASC), Lynn, although the Devonshire had a similar shaped badge and the image is a little distorted. The machine gunners proficiency badge was a stylised letter M within a wreath and the wound stripe a brass strip worn vertically on the lower sleeve. It was awarded for each ‘occasion’ wounded rather than the number of wounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin Michelle Young Posted 6 April , 2021 Admin Share Posted 6 April , 2021 In photo 3 he looks to be wearing a medal ribbon., not visible in the latest photo. Also,in photo 3 he is a Sergeant, but a Corporal in the latest photo. Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 6 April , 2021 Share Posted 6 April , 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, Michelle Young said: In photo 3 he looks to be wearing a medal ribbon., not visible in the latest photo. Also,in photo 3 he is a Sergeant, but a Corporal in the latest photo. Michelle Excellent spot Michelle 👍I totally missed those sergeants stripes in the earlier photo. For Lynn: what Michelle has pointed out suggests that your latest posting shows the same man from an earlier time, unless he was reduced in rank, which although not impossible (especially if transferred) is a lot less likely. Edited 6 April , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RNCVR Posted 6 April , 2021 Share Posted 6 April , 2021 2 hours ago, Michelle Young said: In photo 3 he looks to be wearing a medal ribbon., not visible in the latest photo. Also,in photo 3 he is a Sergeant, but a Corporal in the latest photo. Michelle Might be a 1914 star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 6 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2021 Thank you all again! I've been able to confirm he was in the Army Service Corps initially as a Private and then as Corporal but I can't (yet) find anything about him being a Sergeant. I wouldn't have known where to start without everyone's input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 6 April , 2021 Share Posted 6 April , 2021 (edited) 1 hour ago, LynnM said: Thank you all again! I've been able to confirm he was in the Army Service Corps initially as a Private and then as Corporal but I can't (yet) find anything about him being a Sergeant. I wouldn't have known where to start without everyone's input. He might have been a Lance Sergeant, Lynn. That was an intermediate stage some men went through where they wore three stripes to see how they dealt with the responsibility, but their substantive rank (formally recorded status) remained Corporal until such time as they were promoted to Sergeant proper, or reverted to plain Corporal. Edited 6 April , 2021 by FROGSMILE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynnM Posted 6 April , 2021 Author Share Posted 6 April , 2021 Thank you - I'll make a note of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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