Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Anyone help in dating this picture?


richardshaw

Recommended Posts

This is a picture with my g.g.uncle. He served in the Royal Engineers from about 1909 to the end of the first world war. He is the one stood in the shirt sleeves. Im not sure if this picture was taken during the war or before when he was training.

Could anyone help in telling if this is pre-war?

My g.g.uncle was in the 5th Field Company 2nd Division.

Thanks,

Richard

post-11370-1165846450.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is a picture with my g.g.uncle. He served in the Royal Engineers from about 1909 to the end of the first world war. He is the one stood in the shirt sleeves. Im not sure if this picture was taken during the war or before when he was training.

Could anyone help in telling if this is pre-war?

My g.g.uncle was in the 5th Field Company 2nd Division.

Thanks,

Richard

Hi Richard, there's no picture :o

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can see men and bell tents

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is summer: deciduous trees in leaf, and the men warm.

There is little in the picture to date it, all I can say is that it 'feels' pre-war to me.

One soldier has a good conduct badge, 2 years undetected crime.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Thanks to everyone for the interest.

My g.g.uncles name was Jim (James) Campbell. He was later gassed in the war and and suffered from the effects for a further 50 years. He was then sent to a consultant who then appeared to finally cure the problem. When his son asked what new medical intervention had cured his old dad, uncle Jim replied, "the doctor took me, placed me on a rack and turned me upside down".

Im not sure if this truely cured him, but it was typical of his sense of humour.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Richard, do you have his MIC there's 85 listed for James Campbell at the NA. They do look like they're at camp, interesting head gear on the seated fella :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Richard, do you have his MIC there's 85 listed for James Campbell at the NA. They do look like they're at camp, interesting head gear on the seated fella :D

His full name is James Pringle Campbell. Number 17757.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi, was a bit puzzled by your postings?

Kevin likes to dabble with photo's, if you look at the images he posted, he's touched up the creases, and removed marks, etc.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Kevin likes to dabble with photo's, if you look at the images he posted, he's touched up the creases, and removed marks, etc.

Ah yes, sorry I didnt notice. Thanks Kevin.

Can anyone say if there is anything definitive in terms of dating these pre war or war?

thanks for everyone's interest and help,

Richard

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Richard, do you have his MIC there's 85 listed for James Campbell at the NA. They do look like they're at camp, interesting head gear on the seated fella :D

I think the bloke on the floor is wearing a forage cap cover like this

post-8089-1166113283.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All tunics are early 02 pattern...if you can close up on the gap in the tent, it looks like 08 webbing,and SMLE's stacked around the tent pole so post 08 then..the camp set up and general air screams professional army on manouvers in the summer time somewhere in england between 08 and 14 looks nice weather so perhaps that last fatefull summer of 14 itself.. the large white hat in the centre looks like a sort of sunhat similar to a modern cricketers hat i've seen Anzac troops with them but not UK..

Just my thoughts anyway..

Andy

Link to comment
Share on other sites

A relation of mine - William Vaughan served with the 5th Field Co, RE from 1912 to 1917. This company blew up bridges during the retreat from Mons and at Nonnebosschen Wood formed a last line of defence against the Prussian Infantry who broke through the lines fighting them with picks and shovels. There is an account of their actions recorded by a Corporal Alex Letyford. Part of it is in one of Lynn McDonald's books.

The 5th Field Co were at Mons, Marne, Ailise, Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Festeberg, Ginchy, Loos, Somme and Ancre.

I am checking with a relative on the off chance that his ancestor is in one of the photos!

Mark

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If they're regulars then I would say c.1913. The reasoning behind this is the type of shoulder strap they have on the tunic. The earlier pre-1904 pattern SD tunic had a removable shoulder strap that is easily spotted on earlier photos and this was replaced by shoulder straps made of twisted cord. In 1907 the twisted cord straps were removed and replaced with shoulder straps that were sewn down. These too were replaced in 1913 with the shoulder strap that your looking at.

Graham.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

listen , the hat and the trousers are sort of work wear or fatigues. they are of the same fabric. a sort of whiteish canvas.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Going off topic a little. I'm intrigued by this thread and the pointing out of different webbing, etc

I'd really love an instructional thread that goes through the different 02 08 etc uniforms, pointing out shoulder strap difference etc. Anyone game?

Allie

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...