Wondering if this is my Grandfather and wanting a date please

[Abiam2]

Hi,

I know my Grandfather was in the Zulu War and this photo ?could? be of him and his wife.  He joined the King's Own Royal Lancasters as a very young soldier and it is thought he left the army before 1885. 

Oh dear, I am begining to answer my own question...

He is elderly in the photo as is his wife.  We have a short biog for him and he did not re-enlist so he would't be wearing an army uniform would he?  He was a staunch supporter of the British Legion - did they dress up for special days?

Anyone have an idea of the year this was taken?

Thank you,
Abiam

[oldtimer]

Hi Abiam

You forgot to attach the photo

Judy 

[Abiam2]

Now I know I'm losing it!

[oldtimer]

Don't worry!

I'm always doing it!!!

Judy 

[mmm45]

That looks like a Great War Period uniform.He has a number of Long Service Chevrons plus his medal ribbons from earlier campaigns.
Could he have been involved in recruiting or training new recruits to Kitcheners Army...He may not have deployed overseas therefore no Great War Medal card.(If he had been a Regular he may have had a Reserve commitment)
Have you got a name ill check pension records on ancestry.

Ady

[neil1821]

Ady's spot on with the period I think.

4 long service chevrons = minimum 15 years service  (can never remember)

[mmm45]

Think ill correct myself before any incoming comes my way i think they are Good Conduct Chevrons...Overseas service chevrons (WW1) were on the other arm and blue and didnt come in til later in war
Am not sure how many years qualified for a chevron...Its 4 in the Royal Marines(present day)

[Abiam2]

Joseph was born in 1858 and married in 1886 so I think the maximum he could have served would have been 12 years if he joined up as a 16 year old boy.   If he left the army in 1885 and did not re-enlist he could not have been in the great war.

I know he was in the Zulu War on active service in 1879 at Inhlobana, Kambula, reconnaissance of Ulundi and the battle of Ulundi and then the attack on Manyanyoba.

If your thoughts are correct and the uniform is of the Great War then this cannot be my Grandfather...... can it?