Identification re group photo please?

[joleeni]

Hi, can anyone tell me anything about this group of soldiers please? I have no idea when this was taken, whether the uniforms are army/RAF? Can anyone help? Thanks

[old rowley]

Your photograph shows gunners/drivers (no chevron's), lance bombardiers (single chevron), and bombardiers (double chevron's) from the Royal Artillery. The photograph would appear to be of world war one period (or just before).

old rowley

[km1971]

The man sitting on the ground on our right appears to have a wound stripe on his left cuff. These were introduced in 1918. Also at least half are wearing the ribbon for what looks to be for one of the stars, probably the 1914-1915 Star. This was authorised in 1918 but I don't believe pieces of ribbon were issued until early 1919. So my guess that that it is a demob photograph from 1919.

The ribbon was the same for the 1914 Star, but there are too many survivors for them to be wearing that. They also look too young and too happy to be old sweats.

The cap badge looks to be Royal Artillery. If they are RA I believe they moved the lanyard to the right shoulder in 1920.

Ken

[km1971]

Hi OR

I am not so sure about the chevrons. The RA had Corporals during WW1. I believe the WW1 Bombardiers had one stripe, and the L-Bs none. But I am no RA expert.

Ken

[old rowley]

"The man sitting on the ground on our right appears to have a wound stripe on his left cuff"........ b****r missed that one  . having another look to see where I did miss the wound badge that Ken points out I have now noticed that at least five of the men have oversea/service chevrons showing.

old rowley

[joleeni]

Wow, thank you all so much for the replies. That gives me plenty to work with