RootsChat.Com

General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: elizirvshaw on Tuesday 09 January 18 15:40 GMT (UK)

Title: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: elizirvshaw on Tuesday 09 January 18 15:40 GMT (UK)
Hello,
I need help in identifying this uniform. I read online that the white piping could mean he was a volunteer.  It looks similar to some of the uniforms in the British artillery divisions circa 1900.  From a census, I know that he wasn't in the military until after 1901.  Could this be from the last year of the second Boer war? Also, a 1911 census states that he was in the "French Polisher Army Reserve (A)".  When I look up French Polisher Army on google I just get a bunch of links to furniture refinishing.  So either the census taker or google is inaccurate.  Any help is greatly appreciated!
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: JenB on Tuesday 09 January 18 15:52 GMT (UK)
Welcome to Rootschat  :)

I can’t help withe uniform I’m afraid. But I would take the occupation to mean that he was by trade a French Polisher, and was also an Army Reservist.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: Jebber on Tuesday 09 January 18 16:24 GMT (UK)
I agree with JenB, the two things are quite separate.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: elizirvshaw on Tuesday 09 January 18 16:29 GMT (UK)
Thanks, that does make more sense!
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: John915 on Tuesday 09 January 18 16:33 GMT (UK)
Good afternoon,

Looks like the Devonshire regt, possibly one of their militia battalions. He gas 2 long service stripes and marksman qualification badge.

John915
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: Jebber on Tuesday 09 January 18 17:04 GMT (UK)
Again I agree, the collar dogs look like the Devonshire Regiment, but I have been unable to find an illustration of a similar uniform.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: elizirvshaw on Tuesday 09 January 18 18:29 GMT (UK)
So what do the two long service stripes mean? Did they get a stripe for every year served? And how common were the marksman badges?
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: John915 on Tuesday 09 January 18 19:38 GMT (UK)
Good evening,

The marksman badges were fairly common, all would be encouraged to excell at shooting. It's what they were there for.

Not sure about the long service, I think 2 years then 5 years. MaxD will put us right if he sees this.

John915
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: gortonboy on Tuesday 09 January 18 20:14 GMT (UK)
When and where  was he born?
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: jess5athome on Tuesday 09 January 18 22:25 GMT (UK)
I could well be wrong but I think the two chevrons are for 5 years good conduct?  :-\

1 = 2 years
2 = 5 years
3 = 8 years I think.

Frank.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: tonepad on Tuesday 09 January 18 22:38 GMT (UK)
Good-conduct stripes are for 2, 6, 12 or 18 years service without being subject to formal discipline.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: jess5athome on Tuesday 09 January 18 22:48 GMT (UK)
Good-conduct stripes are for 2, 6, 12 or 18 years service without being subject to formal discipline.



I stand corrected  ;)

Frank.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: John915 on Tuesday 09 January 18 22:53 GMT (UK)
Good evening,

Correct tonepad, however militia only got them if mobilised for active service. If he only started military service after 1901 then that doesn't leave him time to get either of them in Boer war.

So he must have been a regular, the uniform appears to be correct but all the photo's I have found don't show the cuffs.

John915
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: tonepad on Tuesday 09 January 18 23:24 GMT (UK)
Photos I have seen of the Devonshires in the 2nd Boer War era have white collars. Other regiments have dark collars as originally posted.

Tony
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: elizirvshaw on Tuesday 09 January 18 23:43 GMT (UK)
James Shave was born April 16, 1884 in London, England.
Title: Re: Need help in identifying military uniform
Post by: John915 on Wednesday 10 January 18 00:41 GMT (UK)
Good evening,

Taken me a while to find it, most regts returned to their own facing colours at some time. The Devonshires returned to their own dark green in 1905.

That would make the photo after that date and him a regular due to wearing long service stripes.

John915