Nick Sumner Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 Can any one give me any information about my grandad Joe Sumner. Born 6/8/1887 he lived until 1948. I know little about him. I'm assuming Royal Field Artillary but why is he wearing spurs and carrying a stick? Any information would be appreciated. Thank you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coldstreamer Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 This could be his medal index card http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=22 or http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=22 others at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...mp;mediaarray=* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wig Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 Great picture. I presume he's a driver (of horses) and thats his horsewhip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bombadier Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 Doesn't look like an artillery cap badge to me unless it is a trick of the light. Nigel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 He is RFA , you can read it on his shoulder titles. Spurs were common for horsed units, there would be the gun teams themselves to drive and the ammunition column horses plus all those in reserve in the horse lines. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wig Posted 14 April , 2007 Share Posted 14 April , 2007 Have a look at Tom McCluskey's photograph of RFA Drivers, here http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...c=47320&hl= Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sumner Posted 15 April , 2007 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2007 This could be his medal index card http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=22 or http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...;resultcount=22 others at http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...mp;mediaarray=* Thank you, I obviously have lots of places to go and look to try and work out which record is his. It's strange seeing his name as Joseph, he's always been Joe and his father was Joseph. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sumner Posted 15 April , 2007 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2007 Great picture. I presume he's a driver (of horses) and thats his horsewhip Thank you, that seems so likely once you've pointed it out. I was thinking of modern artillery but of course it would have been all horse power then. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sumner Posted 15 April , 2007 Author Share Posted 15 April , 2007 Doesn't look like an artillery cap badge to me unless it is a trick of the light. Nigel I did wonder about that. I had a magnifying glass on it and thought I could see 3 bands down it but I'd decided it was a trick of the light too. Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
squirrel Posted 16 April , 2007 Share Posted 16 April , 2007 Spurs and a riding crop were standard walking out dress for RHA and RGA. And the Gunners had to ride as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sumner Posted 16 April , 2007 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2007 Spurs and a riding crop were standard walking out dress for RHA and RGA. And the Gunners had to ride as well. Thank you for that. Do you have an opinion on his cap badge please? It does not appear to be quite standard, although that may be the way the light is on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 16 April , 2007 Share Posted 16 April , 2007 Standard "New Army" RA badge Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Sumner Posted 23 April , 2007 Author Share Posted 23 April , 2007 Standard "New Army" RA badge Roop Forgive my ignorance, what is the significance of "New Army"? Nick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KONDOA Posted 23 April , 2007 Share Posted 23 April , 2007 Territorial and regular Units may have had revolving wheel badges. In general when Kitchener formed the New Armies in 1914 this badge was the one that became the standard, ie cheap and pressed out of brass plate. Roop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colinjj Posted 23 April , 2007 Share Posted 23 April , 2007 Take a look at the photo of my G.Uncle, he was a Driver in the RFA. The uniforms look very similar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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