ID Uniform/Regiment please

[adamthomas]

Hi All

I have recently received this photo and would love to find out more info/trace the soldiers, i believe the one on the right is my great great uncle Evan Thomas b1883 Pembrokeshire. The names are in pencil on the back but are very faded. Any info would be greatly received.

Many Thanks

Adam

[ainslie]

Paul Digby Thomas has a medal index card showing numbers 2156 and 470340, London Regiment.  William Muir has one showing 2157, same regiment. 
There are five cards for Evan Thomas, London Regiment.  One is for Evan Ralph Thomas, 2102.  The closeness of the three numbers probably means they joined together.
There were many battalions of the regiment, some of which used the Maltese cross as their badge.
You might find papers for one or both using Ancestry, where you might get their battalion details, and their MICs should be available there, free, or via The National Archives, Documents Online, at £2 per card.
If no better info appears here later, you could try the Great War Forum.
They look keen and ready to go, with caps as issued!  Typical of early volunteers.
A

[forester]

It looks like 12th (County of London) Battalion (The Rangers)
470340 is within the batch issued to the 12th Battallion in 1917.

Phil

[forester]

I've just looked at their medal index cards and Paul Roper is definitely 12th Battalion. Going by the date of entry, this would imply that he was 1/12th and a pre-war Territorial.
The Evan Thomas that would fit, would most likely be 1622, later 224481 Labour Corps.

Do you know if Evan was in London pre-war?

Phil

[forester]

Well, I was wrong about Paul Roper. 

He has an extensive surviving service record..... he joined up on 10th August 1914.

Phil

[adamthomas]

Many Thanks for all the info.

I do not know much about Evan, but he did marry in Edmonton, London in 1916

[alan o]

All 3 are indeed 12th Battalion the London Regt.  They are all wearing black buttons associated with Rifle Bns.  The jackets suggest 1914-15.

[adamthomas]

wonderfull pic, thanks

[forester]

According to Ivor Lee, Evan would have joined the Labour Corps somewhen between June and September 1917.

Phil