Uniform ID

[fifer]

Hi Folks,

Could anyone help me ID the uniforms the two men in the image are wearing? Which regiment? If they were wearing their hats with the cap badge it would be obvious. Any help would be much appreciated, Thank you.

Regards, Alistair

[ian turner]

Alistair,

On the face of it they are wearing standard uniform applicable to any/all regiments. The points to note are:

Both wearing lanyards on their shoulders - might imply involvement with the transport/horse section of their unit.

Man standing has a bar above his breast pocket - I leave that to the experts but I do not think it is a medal ribbon. More likely the bar of a fob chain. I think it is not a Territorial badge, but stand to be corrected on that.

He also has a badge on the lower (our right, his left) sleeve - maybe a machinegunner (Lewis Gun)?

His other sleeve appears to have a raised 'pip' on the upper arm. It may be a mark on the image as I do not recollect such a pip in that place on a British army uniform. Again I do not claim specific knowledge and leave it for other pals to comment further.

Any clues on the back of the photo? Any names perhaps?

Ian

[T8HANTS]

We can eliminate all the Rifle Regiments, who have black buttons.

The 14 Pattern leather belts suggest Service Battalions, or possibly late TA, but the TA tended to have 03 pattern belts.

The"pip" on the right upper arm is in the correct place for a "Bomber" or "Trench Morterman" badge, but I have never seen such a raised one.

The Imperial Service badge is worn above the right breast pocket flap, and its absence again suggests a Service Battalion, so a watch fob is more likely in the left.

Gareth

[Steven Broomfield]

No service chevrons (right sleeve cuff) and no Good Conduct Badges (left sleeve), so probably early war piccie, or at least newly-joined soldiers. The bar I'd agree is a watch chain - nice affectation...bet the RSM didn't see it!

Are those early-war jackets with the reinforced shoulder?

[fifer]

Hi,

Thank you Ian, Gareth & Steven for your input and clues, much appreciated.

There were no names or information on the back of the photo. I have attached a close up of another photograph with one of the men that was in the first image I posted. In this image the man is wearing a glengarry with a cap badge, can anyone Id the cap badge?

Does anyone know if the 9/Border (Service)(pioneers) Regiment wore glengarry's? Please advise.

Regards, Alistair

[Steven Broomfield]

Not Border, but King's Own Scottish Borderers. Certainly the same bloke, and the cap badge looks like KOSB to me.

[jay dubaya]

Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders

Jon

[Staffsyeoman]

Afraid I agree with Broomers - KOSB.

[Tom A McCluskey]

Jon,

It cannot be the Argylls, as their dicing is properly chequered.

Aye Tom McC

[jay dubaya]

Thanks for that Tom, it was the size of the badge that caught my eye and now looking at a KOSB badge I would totally agree that it's a KOSB badge,

cheers, Jon....learning something new everyday

[ralphjd]

Thanks for that Tom, it was the size of the badge that caught my eye and now looking at a KOSB badge I would totally agree that it's a KOSB badge,

cheers, Jon....learning something new everyday

Jon, Does that include typing with more than one finger ? just wondered. Ralph.

[jay dubaya]

tried three today, I found I could type much faster...just couldn't read what I'd typed,

Jon

[ralphjd]

Very weird that. I come up with gobbledygook just the same, do you think its catching ?

[Steven Broomfield]

Afraid I agree with Broomers - KOSB.

Don't be afraid.

Be VERY afraid.....

[FROGSMILE]

Alistair,

His other sleeve appears to have a raised 'pip' on the upper arm. It may be a mark on the image as I do not recollect such a pip in that place on a British army uniform. Again I do not claim specific knowledge and leave it for other pals to comment further.

Any clues on the back of the photo? Any names perhaps?

Ian

From the later pic, I agree KOSB (25th Regt Foot) Imperial Service battalion as the unit, and it seems to me that the pip on upper right shoulder is likely to be a bomber's badge which was a raised (giving the 'pip' effect) woven grenade with red flames (AO 403 of 1915). There was another very similar grenade for trench and stoke mortarmen but as this was later (1917), I think the grenadier is much more likely.