Help identifying uniform

[Nicola1964]

Please can anyone help identify the date and regiment of the uniform in the photo? Is it a pill box hat and what logos are on his arm?

My great grandfather Alexander Barras was a gunner in the Royal field artillery 59th regiment WW1  and killed in Ypres but originally enlisted in the army 1902.

I’m unsure if this is definitely from this era.

thanks in advance. 

Nicola

Edited 26 March , 2023 by Nicola1964

[6RRF]

It is indeed a gunner, wearing a pillbox hat. He looks a touch early to me, but Frogsmile can no doubt advise more particularly 

[Nicola1964]

3 minutes ago, 6RRF said:

It is indeed a gunner, wearing a pillbox hat. He looks a touch early to me, but Frogsmile can no doubt advise more particularly 

Thanks for the info ...much appreciated.

[charlie962]

Here are some dates and notes that may be relevant to matching the man to the photo?

Alexander Edward Barras had first attested March 1902, aged 24y3m,  with no previous military or militia service. He was allocated service number 22500. Having extended his colour service to 8 years, he spent 1902-1910 with 132 Battery RFA. Most of his service was in Ireland. In March 1910 he was transferred to the Reserve and in March 1914 he was discharged on completion of his 12 year commitment. 

He re-attested, I think, 2/9/14 and was immediately sent to France 15/9/14. New number 96691.

He was killed in action 15/8/17 with 59th Battery RFA, part of 18th Brigade RFA.

I note he got married (without leave) in Huddersfield December 1904.  His first child was born Sept 1907 and christened in Oct in Huddersfield.

132nd Battery had been classified year 1904 as 2nd class in the annual camp and I believe this entitled men of the battery to wear a battery prize badge on lower left sleeve of a star above crossed cannons?

Alexander received first good conduct pay March 1904 and gained a second good conduct badge March 1907. Such badges were worn on lower right arm. 

All this leads me to suggest photo could have been taken Dec 1904 unless expert frogsmile rules out uniform, particularly belt plate and pillbox hat? I thought all these went 1902?

Charlie

 

Edited 26 March , 2023 by charlie962

[charlie962]

1911 census, Fred Hardcastle (b 1872), Lockwood, Huddersfield. 39 years old, photographic trade.

1901 Assistant Photographer, own account.

I haven't tried trade directories for exact address match?

Edited 26 March , 2023 by charlie962

[FROGSMILE]

Although you have all correctly identified that he’s an artillleryman there are some aspects that puzzle me.  His loose legged trousers, ankle boots and waist belt indicate that at the time of the photograph he was in the Royal Garrison Artillery, but there’s nothing to have stopped him being transferred over to Royal Field Artillery subsequently.  The pillbox cap was indeed phased out from 1902, but it took some time for the replacement Brodrick cap to reach all the many units.  He does wear a gunnery prize badge for his battery, but at the time the photo was taken he had no good conduct badges (inverted cuff stripes) that ever since July 1881 had been worn on the left lower arm, not the right.  The gunnery prize would have been above the stripes.  Looking at the ladies clothing and factoring those matters in it suggests an early stage in his service during the period of the 2nd Anglo/Boer War, which did not conclude until 1902.

 

Edited 27 March , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[Tawhiri]

4 hours ago, charlie962 said:

1911 census, Fred Hardcastle (b 1872), Lockwood, Huddersfield. 39 years old, photographic trade.

1901 Assistant Photographer, own account.

I haven't tried trade directories for exact address match?

A little more information on the photographer himself and his studio.

https://huddersfield.exposed/wiki/Fred_Hardcastle_(1872-1932)

https://huddersfield.exposed/wiki/Beaumont_Park_Studio

[Nicola1964]

Thank you all very much for all your help and info which is very thorough and detailed...... much appreciated. I find it all very fascinating to research.

I've attached a later photo with his wife probably taken before setting off to Belgium.........I've yet to visit but it's on my list to do and I'm lucky I have his memorial medallion too.

Nicola

[Michelle Young]

Is that a wound stripe on his left lower sleeve? 

[FROGSMILE]

1 hour ago, Michelle Young said:

Is that a wound stripe on his left lower sleeve? 

Yes I think so too.  He has a simplified emergency period jacket on and interesting high laced boots too.

Edited 27 March , 2023 by FROGSMILE