NeilJamesBrockie Posted 2 October , 2007 Share Posted 2 October , 2007 Neil , looking at the bottom left hand corner , it looks like 'ddry' , I reckon this photo was maybe take at Longniddry, not a million miles from Haddington. The picture of the AB64 paybook is crystal clear, and it states Jamse was C Coy which is the Prestonpans company, it suggest there was some re-jigging of the companies as I would have expected James to be in E or Dalkeith Company. You may well find a page that has been ripped out, this might be his will which would have been sent home 'just in case'. John It would have made sense to place the will somewhere safe, but he probably thought he would be fine in the beginning. He possibly even got superstitious about leaving it in the book as the war went on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dycer Posted 3 October , 2007 Share Posted 3 October , 2007 One thing now that you mention the hats, is that the man standing up has the pinned up side on his right and all the others were on their left? Edit: probably being daft for the camera? Neil, The photos I have of the Battalion wearing Slouch Hats were sent from Kilmarnock July/August 1911.One was taken when at rest during a route march and the hats are worn at various angles.So they appear to be a relaxed form of headwear.The other is taken outside their tent and is clearly posed.George is wearing his Slouch Hat but the others are wearing basins,etc. John, Woe is us.The Corporal is a Royal Scot.From your Web-Site George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Alexander Posted 3 October , 2007 Share Posted 3 October , 2007 Neil , looking at the bottom left hand corner , it looks like 'ddry' , I reckon this photo was maybe take at Longniddry, not a million miles from Haddington. John Not Longniddry, John. The inscription has clearly been added at some point by a child and most likely reads "Daddy and other soldiers". There was all kinds of movement through the companies of 8RS - for reasons of promotion, specialism, and (most importantly) the practical need to distribute other ranks evenly throughout the battalion. It follows that there's nothing surprising about finding a Dalkeith man in a company which is notionally dedicated to Prestonpans. I remember interviewing a couple of 8RS veterans of the 1914 move to France. One of them was a Prestonpans man. He confirmed that (by necessity) men from the larger towns in the battalion's catchment area were to be found in all eight companies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Alexander Posted 3 October , 2007 Share Posted 3 October , 2007 It might be worth looking at the Camp photo closely as we could be mistaking the hackle for a guy rope,etc.We both know that the 8th were brought up to strength by drafts from other Battalions/Regiments.It is possible, if it's a 1913 photo, that the Corporal attended Camp from another Regiment to give his expertise or if 1914 was drafted in to bring the Battalion up to strength. Possibly one of our uniform experts will come along and assist us. George No. The corporal is wearing exactly what you'd expect a piper of 8RS to be wearing in camp shortly before the Great War. Incidentally 8RS reckoned that their band was one of the finest in the Regiment. Several of the pipers were prize-winning musicians. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dycer Posted 3 October , 2007 Share Posted 3 October , 2007 Jack, I agree he is 8th RS that's why I posted the recruiting postcard They had a good Football Team as well according to the War Diary. It's surprising what evidence is turning up about the 8th.Mainly thanks to Neil's Granddad and John and Tom's research. You don't fancy writing their history do you?Probably easier,though,to expand the Courier/Thorburn History with photos,etc. George Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eltoro1960 Posted 7 July , 2008 Author Share Posted 7 July , 2008 Just thought I would let you know folks, I have added some of George's excellent photographs of the 8th on my website, also thanks to Neil , I have digitised an interview with James Marchbank and it can be heard here LINK. Neil will clarify the date perhaps, but it was recorded circa 1970 at a local history seminar in Newbattle Abbey College. (Neil I will have to get the cassette back toyou, sorry about the inordinate delay ) John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommie Posted 7 July , 2008 Share Posted 7 July , 2008 John, I am really looking forward to getting home so i can listen to the Interview. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Droocoo Posted 8 July , 2008 Share Posted 8 July , 2008 Pte Jim Martin aged 15 served with the AIF at Gallipoli. He was their youngest. He was killed, but his book Soldier Boy by Anthony Hill, is available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 31 October , 2019 Share Posted 31 October , 2019 Just found out about this lad and tried to download his diary - WWI Trench Diary: James Marchbank - on Kindl, but only amazon.co.uk has it and I can't download it from my amazon.de account.; which does not sell it. Anyone an idea how I might get this?? It's a small booklet it seems but would be interesting to read it. M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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