South Wales Borderers Group Photo - ID & Help

[Shmorganzola]

Dear All,

Attached is a photo of my Grt Grandfather (seated on left; L/Cpl William Morgan 22444) and comrades. He is from NEWPORT, Mon.

(There is nothing on the back to give dates or names of Studio.)

He signed up in the May of 1915. Shipped out to France in the following Dec 1915.

My ignorant questions are:

1. Was this likely to have been taken before he left Newport (or before he left for France)?
2. By some miracle, does anyone recognize any of the other soldiers?

I would love to know if these were neighbours/friends.

Thanks.

 

[FROGSMILE]

17 minutes ago, Shmorganzola said:

Dear All,

Attached is a photo of my Grt Grandfather (seated on left; L/Cpl William Morgan 22444) and comrades. He is from NEWPORT, Mon.

(There is nothing on the back to give dates or names of Studio.)

He signed up in the May of 1915. Shipped out to France in the following Dec 1915.

My ignorant questions are:

1. Was this likely to have been taken before he left Newport (or before he left for France)?
2. By some miracle, does anyone recognize any of the other soldiers?

I would love to know if these were neighbours/friends.

Thanks.

 

The soldier’s are dressed for walking-out (from barracks) and almost certainly photographed before leaving Britain for France and Flanders.  They would have been required to book out from the guardroom after receiving a pass and would have been required to return (booking back in) by a set time (usually ‘tattoo’ (6pm)).  When booking out the soldiers had their dress checked for smartness (some effort at pressing, even if merely by being laid beneath their mattress overnight), and each was also required to have clean boots and belts and carry the swagger stick that you see in their hands.

Edited 3 January , 2022 by FROGSMILE

[Shmorganzola]

1 minute ago, FROGSMILE said:

The soldier’s are dressed for walking-out and almost certainly photographed before leaving Britain for France and Flanders.

Thank you Frogsmile, that is what I suspected, but glad to have it confirmed by the more knowledgeable.

 

[FROGSMILE]

3 minutes ago, Shmorganzola said:

Thank you Frogsmile, that is what I suspected, but glad to have it confirmed by the more knowledgeable.

 

I’m glad to help a little.  It’s interesting that there appears to be a large map on the left side wall as we look, which seems rather intriguing.

[Shmorganzola]

1 minute ago, FROGSMILE said:

I’m glad to help a little.  It’s interesting that there appears to be a large map on the left side wall as we look, which seems rather intriguing.

Gosh, you are observant, I had not even noticed that! However, closer examination reveals that the 'roads' are just mildew/cracks (I had digitally repaired the main parts). Likely to be a studio reflector. But my heart did stop briefly....

 

[FROGSMILE]

Just now, Shmorganzola said:

Gosh, you are observant, I had not even noticed that! However, closer examination reveals that the 'roads' are just mildew/cracks (I had digitally repaired the main parts). Likely to be a studio reflector. But my heart did stop briefly....

 

Ah yes, I did wonder if it might be something else, but the more I squinted at my phone screen the more it seemed as if the mildewed cracks had some sense of man made order about them.  I’m sure that you’re right though.

[6RRF]

1 hour ago, FROGSMILE said:

The soldier’s are dressed for walking-out (from barracks) and almost certainly photographed before leaving Britain for France and Flanders.  They would have been required to book out from the guardroom after receiving a pass and would have been required to return (booking back in) by a set time (usually ‘tattoo’ (6pm)).  When booking out the soldiers had their dress checked for smartness (some effort at pressing, even if merely by being laid beneath their mattress overnight), and each was also required to have clean boots and belts and carry the swagger stick that you see in their hands.

its just a feeling, but an English [or Welsh] location is also hinted at by their haircuts, freshly scrubbed faces and the fact they don't really appear to know what to do with their swagger sticks. They have been allowed out, but a smart and soldier-like manner doesn't really come naturally to them yet - and a couple of their belts don't quite fit.

[Shmorganzola]

2 minutes ago, 6RRF said:

its just a feeling, but an English [or Welsh] location is also hinted at by their haircuts, freshly scrubbed faces and the fact they don't really appear to know what to do with their swagger sticks. They have been allowed out, but a smart and soldier-like manner doesn't really come naturally to them yet - and a couple of their belts don't quite fit.

Thank you, these are insightful observations, and lend support to the being-at-home notion.