Are these military people?

[Uncle Reff]

I have also found this photograph in my recently deceased aunt's album and have no idea where the picture was taken or who the people in it are.

They seem to have a little of a military air about them, so could this possibly be WW1-ish I wonder?

I also wonder if anyone could kindly improve the photograh, which is quite small in size, in order that someone may possibly recognise someone...

Thanks in advance - John

[Uncle Reff]

I have had a message here to the effect that these could be WW1 Royal Engineers which could possibly tie up with what I have learnt about my aunt's father (my grandfather). Predictably his service records no longer exist...

I do not think that anyone actually looks like my grandfather, but it has abviously become very precious to me now.

I wonder if some kind person could improve the quality of this small picture.

Many thanks - John

[km1971]

Hi John

There are wearing British army uniforms. The RE did have the most involvement with the railways – see bottom of this link: http://www.1914-1918.net/cre.htm - but also look at the Army Service Corps on the left. They would have been involved in loading the trains; and possibly the Labour Corps helped the RE to maintain the tracks.

Have you found a medal card for him?

Ken

[Uncle Reff]

Thanks Ken, great link...

I have his medal card but it shows nothing other than his serial number WR/209995 'SPR' (Sapper) and 'RE'. My father told me that he refused to apply for his medals until 1941 (which is also shown on the card), but by which time it was too late...

John

[jds1949]

I think I'm right in saying that it was only officers who had to apply for their medals, enlisted men were sent theirs as a matter of course. So, I would suggest that your grandfather may well have initially returned his medals and then later changed his mind, or possibly he may not have been traced at the end of the war and so the medals never reached him.

jds1949

[Treetotal]

Hi John...I don't know if you know but...If you wanted to claim them on his behalf I believe you can do so:

http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/replacement-medals.html

Carol

[Uncle Reff]

Hi Carol,

I tried to apply for them about five years ago and was refused, as was my grandfather in 1942...

Thank you for the link, unfortunately he was in the British Army.

John