L/Cpl 26989 James William Angel MM, Hampshire Regiment - possible photo ID

[Triumph2000]

L/Cpl 26989 James William (“Jim”) Angel MM was a relative on my wife’s side of the family, he’d have been her Great Uncle. He joined up as part of the Hampshire Yeomanry (Pte 2137) and later transferred to the 15th Battalion of the Hampshire Regiment, in due course being awarded the MM. He was killed in action 27th May 1918, aged 24, and is buried at Brandhoek New Cemetery No.3, where family members have visited him several times since.

This group photo has recently turned up amongst others belonging to Jim’s side of the family, and I’m wondering whether he is in the photo - perhaps the Lance Corporal seated left. There are no known other pictures of him against which to compare. They are Hampshire Regiment cap badges, though I can’t quite make out the shoulder titles. The photo appears to have been taken in Britain (‘Post Card’ on the reverse) but we’d probably have a hard time narrowing it down any further.

Can anyone see anything in the photo which might rule Jim in or out as being one of the men pictured, please? 

 

Edited 6 August , 2022 by Triumph2000
Photo improvement

[PRC]

Can't help specifically with the picture, but the 1/1st Hamphire Yeomanry merged with the 15th Battalion on the 27th September 1917 out in France. https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army/regiments-and-corps/the-british-infantry-regiments-of-1914-1918/hampshire-regiment/

So if he did transfer at that point it wouldn't have been one that had seen him back in the UK. So if the man in the picture is wearing the Hampshire Regiment shoulder titles, and the others have Hampshire Regiment cap badges, then barring a transfer that predated the merger it makes it harder to be him - if the picture was taken in the UK.

The helmet he is wearing wasn't issued until 1916, and priority was probably given to those within range of the German guns. No Military Medal ribbon on display. His military medal was gazetted in August 1917 and his unit is shown as the 15th Battalion so there is a possibility he transferred earlier. A near number search for men of the Hampshire Regiment may turn up some with surviving service records that can be used to date when that 26989 number was issued.

His medal index card shows he only qualified for the Victory Medal and British War Medal, a combination that would indicate he did not serve in a Theatre of War until some point on or after the 1st January 1916.

Hope some of that helps,
Peter

[Triumph2000]

Thank you Peter, that's very useful information. I'll set aside some time to look for records of those numbered close-by in the hope of spotting a pattern. Thanks again.

Meantime, I wonder whether there is any significance to the way this man is dressed?

[charlie962]

From an initial look at Yeomanry and Infantry close numbers, I get an impression that the transfer of these men was made 4/10/16 , to 4th Reserve BN Hants and then same day to 15th Hants. These men had only just gone to France 22/9/16.

Look at Hants 26978 and 26979 who show this pattern. 

My first thought was that the tropical uniform must mean still in UK when photo taken.

Shoulder titles suggest T /?? / HANTS where ?? Looks a bit like a 4 but not quite..

[GWF1967]

40 minutes ago, charlie962 said:

 

Shoulder titles suggest T /?? / HANTS where ?? Looks a bit like a 4 but not quite..

T 4 looks to be a good fit. 

[Marc Thompson]

There are some entries in the local newspapers which you may already be aware of... these are taken from the Hampshire Advertiser 1 June 1918, the Hampshire Independent 1 June 1918 and the Hampshire Independent 15 June 1918.

Edited 26 August , 2022 by Marc Thompson

[Marc Thompson]

On 06/08/2022 at 14:35, charlie962 said:

From an initial look at Yeomanry and Infantry close numbers, I get an impression that the transfer of these men was made 4/10/16 , to 4th Reserve BN Hants and then same day to 15th Hants. These men had only just gone to France 22/9/16.

Look at Hants 26978 and 26979 who show this pattern. 

 

I would concur.

On 22 September 1916, a draft of two officers and 200 other ranks left 2/1st HCY for the British Expeditionary Force in France. Jim Angel was included in this draft. The draft departed from Southampton and arrived at Rouen a day later 23 September, from where they went to 3rd Infantry Base Depot (IBD).

To abide by the provisions of the Military Service Acts, on 4 October 1916, Jim was transferred to 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (a paper transfer) and then posted on the same day to 15th Service Battalion (2nd Portsmouth), Hampshire Regiment and allotted new Regimental Number 26989.

He was a company stretcher bearer and was awarded the MM for bringing in wounded men under shrapnel and HE fire during operations of 7 June 1917.

[Triumph2000]

10 hours ago, Marc Thompson said:

I would concur.

On 22 September 1916, a draft of two officers and 200 other ranks left 2/1st HCY for the British Expeditionary Force in France. Jim Angel was included in this draft. The draft departed from Southampton and arrived at Rouen a day later 23 September, from where they went to 3rd Infantry Base Depot (IBD).

To abide by the provisions of the Military Service Acts, on 4 October 1916, Jim was transferred to 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment (a paper transfer) and then posted on the same day to 15th Service Battalion (2nd Portsmouth), Hampshire Regiment and allotted new Regimental Number 26989.

He was a company stretcher bearer and was awarded the MM for bringing in wounded men under shrapnel and HE fire during operations of 7 June 1917.

 

Excellent, thanks Marc. A great snapshot of his movements. Didn’t yet know how he’d come to be awarded the MM so it’s great to find that out.

So, if the shoulder title on the man pictured in the OP does say T4 Hants, Jim Angel would technically have qualified but unlikely to be him pictured if he transferred in and out same day, I guess?

[Marc Thompson]

1 hour ago, Triumph2000 said:

So, if the shoulder title on the man pictured in the OP does say T4 Hants, Jim Angel would technically have qualified but unlikely to be him pictured if he transferred in and out same day, I guess?

Impossible to say as it isn't even clear that this is a T4 Hants shoulder title. Could easily be T7. As you say, you'll have a hard to impossible time narrowing it down any further based purely on this image unless the family can uncover a photo of Jimmy from another source which will then enable a comparison to take place.