Are they railway workers, policemen or soemthing else??

[claire31]

We have this photo of my husbands grnadfather but we are unsure what they may be?  Thoughts have been policemen or railway workers but we have been unabel to confrim either of these theories?

Any ideas would be great
Claire

[Rian]

Hi Claire
Great photo! I don't think they can be policemen as the old bloke on the front right wouldn't be able to stand up to robbers!!!
Could be railway workers, postmen — lots of things. Have you got a census return for your rellie— what was his occupation in that?
Rian.

[Emmeline]

Some of the men  have letters/words around the collar line. Would this give a clue? I don't think they are Salvation Army but perhaps something similar 

[PrueM]

A few of them are also wearing badges that look similar...could be anything really.  Doesn't look like anything occupational, if you know what I mean.  They are all a bit "casual" in their appearance for that.  Could be a temperance union, religious group, veterans of something, union officials...

A close-up scan of the collars with writing on, and/or the badges might help, although I suspect there's little definition there.

Prue

[griz]

Claire, any idea where it was taken? the location might give a clue. Is that HM on the collar? The apparent range of ages of these men is puzzling. Could they be prison guards?

[millymcb]

Hi

My first thought (like Griz) was possibly Prison Guards (the guy at the back with the bushy moustache looks a typical old prison guard or ex-policeman).

Then I was thinking along the railway lines and wondered about TRAM or BUS workers. 


I also wondered about the badges... the round ones on their chests are the same shape as the Silver War Badge but I can't make out what is in middle.  These may be a little big though - it's hard to tell.

[griz]

It's a great picture.  I find myself looking at the faces and imagining what they are thinking about having their photo taken. I can almost put balloons over their heads with words inside  .

Claire does your husband know where it was taken or any other details?
Is your husband's grandfather included in this group of men?
Are there any family stories about what he did for a living?

If he did what his father  did. you might get a clue from a census.( eg I have several generations that were in the furniture making and finishing business in the 1800's.

[nanny jan]

Hi Claire,

Any clues from birth/marriage/death certificates?

Where did the grandfather live; does that give any clues?

Nanny Jan

[Rian]

If you tell us a name, date and place we could do a census lookup.....
Rian.