WW1 - Can anyone help identify this uniform please?

[randolph52]

My grandfather was Austin Nuttall born Farnworth, Bolton 31st May 1890. I have been trying hard to trace his army records but they were burned - just like many others I'm afraid!
The facts I have are that at the end of the war he was in Royal Fusiliers - Regiment No PS/10019. As he was injured sometime during WW1, I have a photograph of him in hospital that I may post at a later date, I suspect that he didn't originally enlist into this Regiment and would love to know where he started & any possible history as to when and where he served - any ideas would be very greatly appreciated.
I have attached the only photographs I have of him during WW1 - I am unable to see his cap on any & they are poor quality. The one of him that shows the head only was taken in Blackpool despite him living in Bolton???

[km1971]

His medal card only gives his Royal Fusiliers details. So it is likely he only served with them. You should try and discover when his RF number was issued. If you search on the National Archives medal index page you can use wild cards - such as 1001? - and look for the record of men with nearby numbers on Ancestry.

Ken

[LJReb123]

PS-'Public Schools' Battalions??

David

[MaxD]

Paul Nixon's splendid site Army Service Numbers 1881-1918 has PS as the prefix for the Public School battalions of the Royal Fusiliers.
Are those "pips" on his shoulder?  But on a soldier's uniform?  Perhaps something peculiar to PS on initial joining?

https://archive.org/details/royalfusilierups00stanuoft might be worth reading for general interest about those battalions.

maxD

[Regorian]

18th, 19th and 20th Service Battalions RF were Public Schools Battalions. Might narrow down things a bit.

[John915]

Good evening,

21st service battalion was also a public schools battalion. They were also known as 1, 2, 3, and 4 public schools battalions, formed at Epsom Downs in 1914 and disbanded apr 1916. many of the men from 1, 2 and 4 were commissioned.

John915

[Regorian]

Missed the 21st John. Oh yes I see, 19th and 21st (Service) Battalions (2nd and 4th Public Schools).

My source, British Regiments 1914-18 by Brig. E.A. James, O.B.E., T.D.

[alan o]

Not officer's 'pips' but Fusilier grenade shoulder titles.

[MaxD]

Thanks Alan o