Identification of Regiment please

[kanskar]

Grateful please if SKS could possibly identify the Regiment from the Capbadge of the attached soldier. Thanks Kanskar

[neil1821]

A good size image, just a shame it's not a little more in focus 

I'd plump for either the Essex Regt or the Dorsetshire Regt, which are very similar badges.

[scrimnet]

Looks like a triptych for the scroll...Ergo Essex 

The Dorsets had a single one...

Have you the rest of the pic...??

Looks like he may be in hospital blues...

[Jebber]

 I would say The Essex Regiment, the coulour of the metal does not match the Dorsets.


Jebber

[kanskar]

Thanks to all - Essex Regiment would fit in with where the family were living (Islington and thence to Edmonton (Essex border) .

Scrimnet - Unfortunately that is all of the picture. What would be the significance please of wearing Hospital Blues ?

It could be one of two great-uncles - either William Charles Rodway  (1893- after 1945) or Albert Edward Rodway (1898-1918)

Albert Edward was definitely in the Essex Regt - not sure of William's Regimental History as yet.

Kanskar

[scrimnet]

If he was in hospital blues, it means that he was injured....And if if was injured there may be a chance that there are pension records....

The pic was obviously "cut and pasted" from a much larger group pic...perhaps the only pic they had...So quite possibly Albert Edward then

[scrimnet]

I would say The Essex Regiment, the coulour of the metal does not match the Dorsets.


Jebber

I wouldn't normally go by the colour of the metal...In both wars there were "economy" issues...In WW1 of solid  brass, and WW2 of bakelite...

[kanskar]

There's definitely a medal card for Albert Edward - but as far as I am aware there is not a pension record for him. He was killed in action in 1918.

I have not been able to tie down William Charles to whom he served with - I do know he married Bessie Beatrice Cottrell in 1916 in the Hungerford area and children were born in Swindon after that.  Could he have been medically discharged around 1916-1917 ?  I do not know at this stage.

Kanskar

[forester]

Hello Kanscar,

As you probably already know, there are MICs for three William C Rodways.

Driver AHT/942, Army Service Corps looks like an old hand.

Pte 51574 Gloucester Reg. then 43301 Worcester Reg. I haven't gone into yet.

Pte 36160 Wiltshire Reg. looks interesting, given the Swindon connection.
 
Looking at casualties with similar numbers (360**, 361** and 362**), they are virtually all 1st and 2nd Battalion, plus a few in 6th Battalion and appear to be late drafts, as the earliest casualty is April 1918. Despite the late date, a lot of them are from the South West.

If this one is your great-uncle it means that he did not serve until after his marriage. Does this fit in with the births of any children?

Phil