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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Neon_strobelight on Wednesday 26 September 18 19:17 BST (UK)
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I have been sent this photograph from a distant relative asking if I can identify him. I wondered if anyone recognises the uniform and can offer up any information to help.
Many thanks in advance.
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It is a British army uniform of the Great War period but he has most unhelpfully removed his cap badge which would have identified the regiment!
His belt buckle may be identifiable by someone with better eyes and/or photo manipulation skills than I.
MaxD
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I agree but why the white belt,I am not aware of the significance.
Perhaps a military musician?
Viktoria.
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White Belts existed in rhe British Army.
https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=British+Military+Dress+White+Belt&FORM=IDINTS
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For a guess with no possible backup if there is an image on the belt buckle it may or may not be
Dieu Et Mon Droit
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I did not dispute that there were white belts in the British Army but personally I have not seen one on any photographs of ordinary infantrymen of WWI. That is not to say they did not exist.
I also wonder at the swagger stick.
I wondered what the significance might be.
Viktoria.
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A thought - no self respecting soldier would have his photo taken without his cap badge, with the chin strap awry and it was not common to wear the white belt with khaki service dress.
My suggestion is that the man, serving or perhaps even not serving, is imitating, for fun, the entertainer Vesta Tilley (young readers ask your Grandad). While I can't turn up the exact pose, I'm sure I've seen pics of her looking very much like that.
MaxD
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A thought - no self respecting soldier would have his photo taken without his cap badge, with the chin strap awry and it was not common to wear the white belt with khaki service dress.
My suggestion is that the man, serving or perhaps even not serving, is imitating, for fun, the entertainer Vesta Tilley (young readers ask your Grandad). While I can't turn up the exact pose, I'm sure I've seen pics of her looking very much like that.
MaxD
This one?
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-vesta-tilley-english-male-impersonator-1864-1952-57114180.html
That's a brilliant suggestion.
Philip
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The little tab at the end of the “swagger stick”,if that is what it is looks very like the end of a riding crop but he is holding it the wrong way round which
makes me think is a “bit of a laugh “ photograph.
Which regiments would wear a white belt?
Don’t our ancestors leave mysteries,!
Viktoria.
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Something similar Philip.
Who wore white belts, any number.
Label it "Unknown spoof photo" and turn to the next puzzle :)
MaxD
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Something similar Philip.
Who wore white belts, any number.
Label it "Unknown spoof photo" and turn to the next puzzle :)
MaxD
Yes but who? That is the point of the post,identifying the uniform,if possible.
Viktoria.
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Looks like a 1916 economy jacket. Reason there's no cap badge is he didn't have one, afraid this is a spoof photo. Ignore it.
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Well he must have borrowed the cap and presumably there would have been a badge .Why remove it.?
It all seems a bit daft.
I ‘ll bet he was in the Church Lads’ Brigade,they wore white belts, but only on Sunday mornings when on parade. ;D
Just looked it up,they wore white bandoliers ,not belts.
I have slapped my wrists.
Viktoria.
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Yes but who? That is the point of the post,identifying the uniform,if possible.
Viktoria.
Should perhaps have said - the uniform has no distinguishing marks that would help identify the regiment or the man.
MaxD
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That was not my meaning, as it was said ,quote :- that any number wore a white belt I thought that poster might have been able to say which regiments did wear white belts .
Not that particular regiment as there are no distinguishing features to identify anything by the uniform and nothing to identify the person either.
Viktoria.
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Wow, never thought it would cause so much debate. Seems it creates more questions than answers. Thank you all for your input everyone.
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I thought that poster might have been able to say which regiments did wear white belts .
Viktoria.
My imprecise language seems to be getting me in trouble again. Rephrasing - White belts were worn in certain orders of dress by a number of regiments, many of which had the same centre to the belt buckles as seen on the attachment. Others had centres specific to the regiment. From this picture I (and obviously others) cannot identify a regiment.
MaxD (also known as "that poster")
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In the context “that poster”meant the poster who posted that post,nothing more,to differentiate them from other posters.
No offence meant.
Viktoria.
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A left handed person by the way he is holding the swagger stick. No left handed Lee-Enfield rifles.
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Swaggers sticks were carried under left arm,probably leaving the right free for saluting.