Help wanted identiying regiment from uniform

[deejayEn]

I have been sent an old photo of two soldiers in WWI, one of whom could be my ancestor. He is pictured with a pal, although it could be his brother. However I thought he was too young to join up as he was only born in 1902 but the soldiers here both look older than 16.
Can anyone identify the regiment from the cap badges and tell me something about the uniforms they are wearing?

[Regorian]

Could be Rifle Brigade.

[MaxD]

Did they have Post Office connections?  The badge looks like the 8th Battalion London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) which is very similar to the Rifle Brigade badge but has fewer scrolls around the laurels.

The uniform is standard WW1 uniform with (I think) 1908 pattern webbing with ammunition pouches.

Do you have a name that could be checked in case records survive?

MaxD

[jim1]

Possibly the 17th. (Poplar & Stepney).
I can't detect any scrolling & doesn't look like there's a bow as per 19th.
The background although blurred looks overseas, Palestine or Suez maybe.

[deejayEn]

We think it might be Frederick Charles Lay but I'm in doubt as he was born in 1902. He has an older brother George Henry Lay (b1989) but he was in the Lancashire Fusiliers. Still the regiment might help us work out who it might be, so thanks for your help.

[MaxD]

Nothing leaps off the pages I'm afraid.  Born 1902 would be a stretch for war service (although not totally unknown) so no medal records would show if this is a later enlistment

MaXD

[deejayEn]

I'm replying to my post from a few years ago. The soldier on the left, which we are pretty sure is Fred Lay, was born in 1902, so it's unlikley that this dates from WWI as he looks older than 16. But it's possible he signed up to the Army after the war, in the 1920s. His older brother joined the army in 1920 so its likely that he may have followed suit soon after. He emigrated to Australia in 1927 so it must be before that.

What is the minimum number of years you could sign up for?
Do the uniforms match up with what soldier used in the 1920s?
Does anyone have any new information about which regiment it might be?
Is there a connection to the post office?
Also where is the best place to look for records of solders who signed up in the 1920s.

Any help would be appreciated.

I am attaching a photo of Fred for people to see if they agree that it is the same person as the man on the left here.

[AllanUK]

Side by side for comparison

[LindyLou47]

Identifying the Cap Badge may not tell all.  After WW1 my Father re-enlisted with the Sherwood Foresters which is where I thought he had served during the war but having ordered copies of his full service records I discovered that he had originally enlisted with the Northumberland Fusliers, was then transferred to the East Lancs and later to the Yorkshire regiment, all during WW1. He never spoke of the war but often spoke of his time with the Sherwoods.  The Service Records give valuable information and are well worth the outlay - and also explain why his medals were not with the Sherwoods.  Any direct family member can apply for them and I'm still ploughing my way through my Father's records which make fascinating reading. Hope this helps