Badge and uniform identifications please

[WW1 Newbie]

Hello everyone,
I am researching Alfred Lawton who was born in 1876 in Loughton, Essex. At some point he joined the army and is shown at bottom right in photo no. 1. He is known to have served in Africa (where I think the photo may have been taken) and later, possibly served in WW1 also. I would like to find out more about his army service but there are many service records for men bearing his name so I think it would be advantageous if his regiment can be identified. Can anyone help me please? I have very little knowledge of the army and would be grateful for any information that can be gleaned from the photo (which is a scan of a photo of a photo) in addition to which some questions spring to mind.
Can anyone date the photo please?
Are these dress uniforms that are being worn and what do the two different kinds indicate?
The cap badge worn by the man in the centre, back row, is this Royal Artillery (photo no. 2 is cropped from no. 1)?
Would these six men all belong to the same regiment or could they belong to more than one?
On Alfred's uniform, there is a badge above the three stripes, what could this be?
Thank you and I look forward to hearing from you.

[tonydb]

It's a Royal Artillery cap badge, I think the headgear is  the Boderick cap.

Regards Tony.

[Michelle Young]

As far as I know, the Brodrick cap was introduced in 1900. The photo possibly dates from the Boer War. Calling @FROGSMILE

[FROGSMILE]

12 hours ago, Michelle Young said:

As far as I know, the Brodrick cap was introduced in 1900. The photo possibly dates from the Boer War. Calling @FROGSMILE

Yes you’re right Michelle, the Brodrick cap was introduced at the turn of the century for a special Foot Guards pattern, followed subsequently by a slightly different, less structured, universal pattern for others, including the Royal Artillery.

The photo is interesting in that it seems intended to show the home service field uniform and the foreign service field uniform for Royal Artillery troops in 1902.  The standing row wear home service blue patrol frocks with Brodrick caps, and the seated row the drab (brownish khaki) service dress (SD).

The two men front left wear the latest 1902 pattern SD, but the sergeant on the right is wearing the forerunner, 1899 pattern without breast pockets.  They wear the slouch hat and appear to be signals specialists given their semaphore flags.

The photo can be dated to between 1902 and around 1905, when the Brodrick caps were replaced.

 

Edited 20 October , 2023 by FROGSMILE

[WW1 Newbie]

Thank you ever so much, all of you, for your replies and for answering all my questions, I am very grateful indeed.

[FROGSMILE]

2 hours ago, WW1 Newbie said:

Thank you ever so much, all of you, for your replies and for answering all my questions, I am very grateful indeed.

I’m glad to help.  The badge above your forebears three stripes is the representation of an artillery gun in silhouette.  It became a tradition in the British army around the very early part of Queen Victoria’s reign for non-commissioned-officers of the mounted, combatant arms, to wear an arm badge identifying their regiment.  A gun of the late Napoleonic era was selected for the artillery.  It was only worn by the various grades of sergeant and at the time of your photograph could be in one of three materials, embroidered bullion wire, woven worsted thread, and brass metal.  It was always worn above stripes, but below any crown that featured in the badge of rank.

 

 

 

 

Edited 20 October , 2023 by FROGSMILE