RootsChat.Com
General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Kevwood on Thursday 16 April 20 18:06 BST (UK)
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Hi can I have some help trying to identify this WWI uniform please as can't find a service record or medal card, it was taken around 1915 so maybe no medal card as he may well have served at home, he is Robert Barclay Scott Irving born in Ipswich in 1878.
Thanks in advance as I know from previous how good you are at this!
Kev.
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There is a 1905 militia record for him (Gunner, Suffolk RGA (Militia) number 3278) which shows that he was discharged after a week ("not likely to become an efficient militiaman"). So there was probably some underlying health problem. I think all we can say about his uniform in the 1915 photo (and what a nice photo it is) is that he was in a mounted unit, quite possibly artillery.
Whatever issue it was that caused his discharge in 1905 may have prevented overseas service in WW1. I see that he died quite young in 1925.
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Hi Shaun, thanks for that, his son Robert Barclay Irving died in WWII and whilst reading about him came across this photo showing him in uniform, found a fair bit on his son but nothing on the dads military service at all!! He was getting on a bit to be called up wasn't he? Does that suggest he volunteered?
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More than likely, as he was under 39 (just). Theres a bit on it here
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army/ (https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/a-soldiers-life-1914-1918/enlisting-into-the-army/)
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Always been a great website, thanks for that, anyone that has anything else it would be hugely appreciated cheers