Please can someone date this photo - which war is it?

[jettejjane]

This photo was in my Grandfathers Album.  He is the man on the extreme left.  I am a bit unsure of the date or which war.  What is he dressed in ?

Some history from 2 documents.  He was born 1886 and  from 1908 - 1913 he was in the Territorial Force, 4th Bn. Royal Sussex Regt.  Private No. 203.  He served in France in the First World War but said very little about it, we believe he spent some time in hospital in France. He married in Sussex 1917 his address given as Chocolate Factory, Porotobello. O n 19th Feb 1919 he was transfered from Royal Fusiliers  to Army Reserve. Reg. No 2330. Rank Corporal - 1st Class Shot.

This picture puzzles me a lot.  I though it looked 2WW because grandad looked  older than his WW1 pictures.  There is writing on the back which I cant quite decipher.  What has thrown me is the mention of R.E.M.E. my dad was in REME but none of those men are him. 

I would be grateful for any help solving this one.  I know how you all like detective work and sometimes can see what is staring me in the face. Any information no matter how small would be a great help.

[ScouseBoy]

The hat on the bed looks as though it belongs to a Scottish regiment.

They all look smartly dressed with ties on.

Could it be a convalescent hospital in England?

[ScouseBoy]

Look up that first serial number OWENS .   There is a table somewhere. That says which blocks of serial numbers were allocated to which Corps.

[youngtug]

What I think it say's is;
259319 private  "Owens"
318 armoured brigade
R.E.M.E.
 

[AJ100]

I think certainly First World War. If he was born in 1886 then he would be 28 at the outbreak of war in 1914. If the second war then he would be 53 in 1939 which I don't think he is. My opinion is that he looks far nearer to 28. If he was 58 he would have been too old to serve in WW2.

Regards

AJ

[ecksdochter]

Hello jettejjane,
     Doesn't help with your query but the badge on the cap might be The Kings Own Scottish Borderers, now the 1st Battalion, Royal Regiment of Scotland. I'm sure they wore tartan trews instead of kilts.
               Regards,     Dod.

[jess5athome]

I would hazard a 99% guess that the cap you can see is the Kings Own Scottish Borderers,
I would love to get a full view of the photograph above the smoking sign, I wonder if it's the King.

Agree with youngtug regarding writing on back of card.

Frank.

Added:- my apologies ecksdochter, I have just seen your reply.

[jettejjane]

I think certainly First World War. If he was born in 1886 then he would be 28 at the outbreak of war in 1914. If the second war then he would be 53 in 1939 which I don't think he is. My opinion is that he looks far nearer to 28. If he was 58 he would have been too old to serve in WW2.

Regards

AJ

Thanks guys.

AJ you think  WW1, from the looks of grandad I would maybe think that too.  However, the REME was not around then was it? As I said looking at other pictures of him in WW1 although not that young he looks different than in this pic.  I would put him in his 40's , saying  that from  looking at other photos I have.

It could be a convalescent hospital.  h dear what a puzzle.  Who is this Owens that grandad had a photo of him?

[ScouseBoy]

Look for   "REME   war records"   on google