What does the engraving say please?

[ainslie]

A possible candidate from the 2nd Battalion of the regiment, whose record shows he had reverted to the rank of private but omits any mention of promotion.
John Shaw Helme, 17259, formerly of Moor Farm, Barnacre, Garstang.  He enlisted on 12 Jan 1915, served in Salonika and Turkey, suffered from malaria [as did many there].

There may be other possibles - set the bloodhounds loose!
A

[josey]

jumping ahead of myself  - had hoped he married a Ward

... who probably married Isabella Helme in 1921:
Marriages Sep 1921 
Helme    Isabella    Helme    Garstang    8e   1915    
Helme    John S    Helme    Garstang    8e   1915

[Treetotal]

A possible candidate from the 2nd Battalion of the regiment, whose record shows he had reverted to the rank of private but omits any mention of promotion.
John Shaw Helme, 17259, formerly of Moor Farm, Barnacre, Garstang.  He enlisted on 12 Jan 1915, served in Salonika and Turkey, suffered from malaria [as did many there].

There may be other possibles - set the bloodhounds loose!
A

Wow....Thanks Ainslie...another step forward....So good of you to help out.

Carol

[Treetotal]

jumping ahead of myself  - had hoped he married a Ward

... who probably married Isabella Helme in 1921:
Marriages Sep 1921 
Helme    Isabella    Helme    Garstang    8e   1915    
Helme    John S    Helme    Garstang    8e   1915

Nice work Josey (Bloodhound) and well worth a consideration...I did look at Helme/Ward marriages but couldn't find a suitable match...Thanks for sticking with this one and for your determined efforts...much appreciated...how good would it be to see this photo go back home where it belongs 

Carol

[josey]

how good would it be to see this photo go back home where it belongs 

It would be thrilling... and typical rootschat 

[durhamgirl73]

Is he wearing a wedding ring or just a normal ring on his wedding finger? Looks like a signet ring.

[josey]

If he was married I hope he wouldn't be writing to 'Lovely Miss Ward' 

[ainslie]

Two more thoughts.
1  The King's Own have a musum at Lancaster, and a website.  Why not try them with the photo, as they may have or recognise the cup.

2  Perhaps entering the realms of fantasy [as Captain Mainwaring often put it], but IF we have the correct Helme, and IF he was laid low with malaria as shown in the record, he MIGHT have sent the photo to someone who had nursed or visited him, POSSIBLY Miss Ward.  The dedication seems a bit formal for a girl friend or fiancee.

A

[Geoff-E]

Is he wearing a wedding ring or just a normal ring on his wedding finger? Looks like a signet ring.

It was unusual for men to wear wedding rings in those days.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-12986535