Stephen Nulty Posted 23 October , 2006 Share Posted 23 October , 2006 My picture below shows a chap in the uniform of the Royal Irish Rifles. I have had a thread in "Units and Formations" discussing the background to this man. What I know is that on the back of the picture is written "To be delivered to James Gordon, Radcliffe on Trent, near Nottingham", and also is written "Gordon Gallienne Guernsey". I have found an entry in the 1901 census for James Gordon in Radcliffe, in which it states that he is an "Army Pensioner - Sergeant Major". Going back to the 1891 census, he is at the same address but as a rural postman. In the 1891 census, he has two daughters, both born in Gibraltar in 1870/1871, and a son Frederick, born Poonah India around 1874. These locations and dates fit in with the movements of RIR. Responses to my other posting suggest that this picture is dated between 1881 and 1901. So I am trying to determine if it is either James Gordon himself, which would date it between 1881 and 1891, or perhaps it's his son Frederick, which would date it 1891 - 1901. Of course it's always possible that it's somebody else completely And I suspect that perhaps Gordon Gallienne Guernsey may be the artist....or a complete red herring!! All thoughts and comments greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 23 October , 2006 Share Posted 23 October , 2006 Opening a whole new can of worms .. the Guernsey may refer to the fact that ROYAL IRISH REGIMENT were posted there pre-war and according to many sources, were very popular. To the extent that a companies' worth of Islanders chose to join up in the 10th irish Div. and possibly with the R Ir. regt in 1914 Which takes us back to the namestyles!!! Aaargh! Then again, the guy is in Rifle Green ... mmmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 23 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 23 October , 2006 I'm glad we cleared that up, then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 26 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2006 Have finally managed to get the picture out of its frame (which was badly damaged) and I have found a date pencilled at the top on the back. It is 8/6/1885, which is pretty conclusive. My interpretation is that perhaps James Gordon was retiring from the army about that time, and had the picture done to show him in all his finery. I have had no luck whatsoever with the Guernsey connection, other than finding that the Gallienne surname is very common on the island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desmond7 Posted 26 October , 2006 Share Posted 26 October , 2006 Bleedin' eck Sarn't Nulty .. Gordon's pretty common in our neck of the woods too! This could be a long hunt! Best wishes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 26 October , 2006 Author Share Posted 26 October , 2006 Cheers, Des. What's life without a challenge, eh? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glynn Posted 21 March , 2008 Share Posted 21 March , 2008 My picture below shows a chap in the uniform of the Royal Irish Rifles. I have had a thread in "Units and Formations" discussing the background to this man. What I know is that on the back of the picture is written "To be delivered to James Gordon, Radcliffe on Trent, near Nottingham", and also is written "Gordon Gallienne Guernsey". I have found an entry in the 1901 census for James Gordon in Radcliffe, in which it states that he is an "Army Pensioner - Sergeant Major". Going back to the 1891 census, he is at the same address but as a rural postman. In the 1891 census, he has two daughters, both born in Gibraltar in 1870/1871, and a son Frederick, born Poonah India around 1874. These locations and dates fit in with the movements of RIR. Responses to my other posting suggest that this picture is dated between 1881 and 1901. So I am trying to determine if it is either James Gordon himself, which would date it between 1881 and 1891, or perhaps it's his son Frederick, which would date it 1891 - 1901. Of course it's always possible that it's somebody else completely And I suspect that perhaps Gordon Gallienne Guernsey may be the artist....or a complete red herring!! All thoughts and comments greatly appreciated. Hi Stephen, Hope I am doing this correctly as it is my first post. Know I should delete the quote but as it is a bit old thought I'd better leave it to jog the memory. Found your message while doing some family history research last night. I have registered to view the photo that you posted. James Gordon of the RIR is my great great grandfather. He enlisted with the 65th regt. in 1854 and transferred to the Royal Irish Rifles in 1857. He married & had 7 children who were born at various locations where he was stationed around the world. The eldest child John was my great grandfather and he along with 3 of his brothers (Joseph, James & Robert) all joined up with the RIR. I have a photo of the four brothers in uniform taken in Ireland, date unknown. I will try to work out which brother the portrait is of. Very good research you did finding the Census info but as far as I know Frederick Gordon may have been the only brother not to have enlisted. In the 1891 Census James was a postman & I have read that many ex-servicemen were employed as such as they were considered to be very reliable. I live in Australia and the family in the UK have very little information so I have done this research by going to Kew and looking at the Army records at the PRO. If the picture was found at a flea market I guess I have little hope of ever contacting any extended family members. Thank goodness for people like you & your friend who found it!! I know this is a Great War forum so my addition is: My grandfather Robert James Gordon (son & grandson of the forementioned James & John) enlisted on the 18/4/1916. I believe he was in the Lancashire Fusiliers but his discharge papers also mention the Essex Regt. He was sent to France where he was injured very early on, type of injury unknown but my husband believes he may have been gassed as he keeps mentioning milk diet in his diary. He spent many months recuperating in a hospital in (Nottingham?) & then spent the rest of the war in the Labour Corps. Fortunately for me he met my Scottish grandmother on a farm in Berwickshire (while in the LC). I know this is not a Family History forum so I'm trying to be brief, if you would like any more information please just ask. I'll let you know which brother it is when I've studied it. Nylaka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glynn Posted 21 March , 2008 Share Posted 21 March , 2008 background to this man. Forgot to mention that James Gordon was discharged in 1876. I don't know where he was in the 1881 Census as he is unaccounted for in my research. His Army papers say he was born in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh so maybe he was visiting family back in Ireland at the time?? I successfully downloaded the photo you posted Stephen so thanks again for that. Nylaka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 9 April , 2008 Author Share Posted 9 April , 2008 Nylaka Thanks for pointing out your posting to me, and sorry I missed it the first time around. I will send you a PM (Private Message) to discuss this further Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Nulty Posted 17 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 17 June , 2008 I'm pleased to report that the picture under discussion above was today received by "Nylaka" in Australia. So James has been reunited with his great-great-granddaughter and is no longer stuck in my pile of research material. The power of GWF !!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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