Author Topic: Thomas Bryant in uniform pre Boer War (which one?) (Read 2833 times)

Bryant · « **on:** Friday 20 July 07 04:49 BST (UK) »

I would like to know the uniform my Grandfather is wearing.......

In 1897 he applied to enlist with the Royal Artillery......on his attestation form his new Regimental number was going to be 19026 and he became a driver in the 65th Battery of the R.F.A. that being his number throughout the Boer War.......he declared he was already in the Army and was in the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers.......he would have been just 19 when he applied to join the R.A
If I can figure out how to insert the picture you will see it soon.........
Royal Fusiliers or Royal Artillery? He served in the Boer War with the R.A........ and I have a picture/photo of him in 1905 when he married and he looked much older!

themonsstar · « **Reply #1 on:** Friday 20 July 07 20:45 BST (UK) »

The 3rd Bn RF, could have been a Militia Battalion or a Volunteer Battalion. This is what we call the Territorial Army (TA) now. Having done time in the Militia/Volunteer unit, before joining the Regular Army was normal in them days. As it is now

Bryant · « **Reply #2 on:** Saturday 21 July 07 09:37 BST (UK) »

Thankyou themonsstar

Grandfather along with his younger brother were in St Mary's orphanage in Heston, Isleworth (West London) in 1891, so I assumed the Royal Fusiliers would have a depot in that area somewhere....

and they did

Hounslow (which is where he applied to join the R.F.A in 1897) the Royal Fusiliers (city of London regiment) were based at 49 Depot...7th Regimental District and as you say......they were a Territorial Force

Its the uniform I was after........Royal Fusiliers or R.F.A?

Thanks
Bryant

atom12 · « **Reply #3 on:** Saturday 21 July 07 17:36 BST (UK) »

Hi

He looks like he is RFA. His trousers are tight and he is holding a whip, suggesting he is a horseman.

FROGSMILE

Quote from: atom12 on Saturday 21 July 07 17:36 BST (UK)

Hi

He looks like he is RFA. His trousers are tight and he is holding a whip, suggesting he is a horseman.

Bryant he is indeed RFA and wearing the distinctive dark blue 9-button full dress tunic that had a red collar with yellow piping and Austrian cuff knot. His pillbox cap was also dark blue but with a broad yellow band on the lower part. The RFA and RHA were both mounted parts of the artillery and so wore the pantaloons (aka breeches) that were tighter than normal trousers for the purpose of riding. He carries a riding whip when in walking out dress as you see here.