Author Topic: Anyone help identify this uniform?  (Read 1160 times)

Offline searchingforfoxalls

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Anyone help identify this uniform?
« on: Friday 01 September 17 11:31 BST (UK) »
Hi,

I have a photo of one of my ancestors and I'd love to know what kind of uniform he is wearing, his rank or anything else that can be gleaned. Any ideas and information gratefully received. His dates are 1812-1870 and he looks to be an older man by the time of the photo. His occupation was a chainmaker, but clearly he served in some capacity.

Many thanks for any help!


Offline KGarrad

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #1 on: Friday 01 September 17 11:47 BST (UK) »
Welcome to RootsChat! ;D

The helmet is a Pickelhaube type.
Could be Army (British Home Service Helmet), but equally could be Police of Fire Service?

This is a British Army example:
http://www.cameronians.siteiscentral.com/glossary/home-services-helmet

Not your chap's regiment, but similar.
Garrad (Suffolk, Essex, Somerset), Crocker (Somerset), Vanstone (Devon, Jersey), Sims (Wiltshire), Bridger (Kent)

Offline Regorian

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #2 on: Friday 01 September 17 11:49 BST (UK) »
I don't know what the uniform is, but someone who does will be along sooner rather than later. What I can tell you is that it is later than 1878. That's when the British version of the pickelhaube was first issued.
Griffiths Llandogo, Mitcheltroy, Mon. and Whitchurch Here (Also Edwards),  18th C., Griffiths FoD 19th Century.

Offline barryd

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #3 on: Friday 01 September 17 13:53 BST (UK) »

.............................................but equally could be Police or Fire Service?

Probably not because of the sword?


Offline alan o

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #4 on: Friday 01 September 17 14:13 BST (UK) »
He is a Rifle Volunteer or Volunteer Battalion.  Think pre-Territorial Army.

The shoulder title has the V for volunteer.  The Austrian Knot cuff braid also shows that he is a volunteer and not a Regular soldier.

Offline searchingforfoxalls

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #5 on: Friday 01 September 17 14:17 BST (UK) »
That's great, thanks so much! Looks like I need to check my dates though? This uniform definitely post 1870?

Offline alan o

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #6 on: Friday 01 September 17 14:31 BST (UK) »
The helmet only came in to use in the British Army in 1878. As he is a volunteer then it may have been some years after that that the volunteers started to wear them.  I suspect that the V title makes it after 1881.

Offline Regorian

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #7 on: Friday 01 September 17 14:34 BST (UK) »
Oh yes, he's from 1880's or 1890's. 1870 to 1878, they wore silly little hats. If you Google British infantry 1870 (images), you will see what they looked like.
Griffiths Llandogo, Mitcheltroy, Mon. and Whitchurch Here (Also Edwards),  18th C., Griffiths FoD 19th Century.

Offline Jebber

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Re: Anyone help identify this uniform?
« Reply #8 on: Friday 01 September 17 15:04 BST (UK) »
Although I can't distinguish the ribbon stripes, the medal he is wearing looks like the Queens South Africa Medal.
CHOULES All ,  COKER Harwich Essex & Rochester Kent 
COLE Gt. Oakley, & Lt. Oakley, Essex.
DUNCAN Kent
EVERITT Colchester,  Dovercourt & Harwich Essex
GULLIVER/GULLOFER Fifehead Magdalen Dorset
HORSCROFT Kent.
KING Sturminster Newton, Dorset. MONK Odiham Ham.
SCOTT Wrabness, Essex
WILKINS Stour Provost, Dorset.
WICKHAM All in North Essex.
WICKHAM Medway Towns, Kent from 1880
WICKHAM, Ipswich, Suffolk.