meddling with medals

[john ot ilk]

this is a photo of my father.he was born 1884 in carrington, scotland he told me he served with royal scots greys
and RGA (I think maybe royal garrison artillery)in his career and died in 1941.I am interested to find
out what medal he is wearing with 3 bars.can someone please help?john ot ilk

[JillJ]

Hi John,

Have you looked for a Medal Card? http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp

Jill

[Seoras]

Well from the boots and spurs he is wearing John,and the riding crop in his hand he certainly seems to be in a cavalry regiment.

George.

[macintosh]

John.
 Looks like the Queens South Africa Medal for Boer War, check out www.northeastmedals.co.uk and you will see how many bars were awarded for that campaign.
James

[km1971]

Hi John

Can you confirm his name was James Vernon Parker? As already said he is wearing the uniform of a Trooper/Private of a cavalry regiment with a Queen South Africa medal. But he is not listed as being in the Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) for the Boer War. There are several J Parkers listed in other cavalry regiments, but no JVs.

It is possible he served in the artillery during the Boer War and transferred to the cavalry later. It would have been quite soon afterwards judging from his apparent age. It would be easier if you could find his service record on either Findmypast or Ancestry. Or look for other evidence that will pinpoint his regiment.

Almost 500 James Parkers are listed as serving during WW1.

Ken

[john ot ilk]

Hi! Ken, Thank you for that very helpful effort. It jolted me into revising
my father's history.Without boring you with details too much, he was known as
James Parker until about 1900 when his mother married again to Alfred Vernon,
So as you suggest he may not have had Vernon in his name at that time.I really
believe that he served in the rsg's, but have no idea when. He would only be 16
on 29 Oct 1900. I wonder how he could be identified in a list of privates in
the rsg's? I would appreciate any assistance you can give. We appear to be a
military family because my grand father enlisted in the 71st regt of
 foot which ended up as the hli, I believe. I took part in the Normandy invasion
in 1944 and served in India after that. Thanks again Ken. John.

[macintosh]

Although ther Royal Scots Greys were in South Africa at this time, may I suggest that this pic may be a soldier in the Artillery with his side cap or O/Rs forage cap  that artillery men wore at the time, he may well have been a driver of horses pulling guns,  ammunition limbers, or supply wagons.

James

[km1971]

He would only be 16 on 29 Oct 1900.

Hi John

Service under the age of 18 did not count towards pension, so they would enlist until their 30th birthday. In his case this would have been in October 1914. Therefore his papers should be in the 'WW1' service records on Ancestry, rather than the pre-1914 records on Findmypast. Unfortunately 80% of WW1 records were destroyed in WW2 bombing. Lots of men chose to continue their service after their first period of service. But many chose to leave the army 'time expired' even during WW1. These 12-year men were not entitled to the Silver War Badge when it was introduced in 1916.

It is also possible that he transferred into the Army Reserve circa October 1909. If you have found him as a civilian in 1911 he may still be a Reservist. You may get more joy trying to find him in an electoral roll of c1918. If he was still in the army it should be noted.

Ken

[john ot ilk]

Hi! Ken,Once again your summing up seems to be dead right. In your last paragraph you mention
finding him as a civillian c 1911,and I find in his 1st marriage in 1909 he is said to be  'groom domestic'
and in his 2nd marriage  in 1912 he is simply 'groom'- no mention of military titles.Now,to try
for an electoral roll. Thanks again for your assistance and advice.John.