First World War Soldier

[Johnsonsyard]

Hi ,

This is a photo of my Great Uncle Robert. Can anyone deduce any information from this picture ?

Many Thanks.

[old rowley]

Gunner/Driver serving in the Royal Artillery. What was Robert's full name as this may help in finding out more about him.

OR.

[forester]

Has the photo been cropped?

The shoulder title on the left hand side (his right) will tell you which branch of the Artillery.

Phil

[Johnsonsyard]

HI Old Rowley and Forrester .
Thanks for your replies .Much appreciated. My Uncle was called Robert Hardy , my Granfathers elder brother (1876 - 1923) The Photo was not cropped but cut many years ago before I was born . Nevertheless , I shall attempt to enlarge the shoulder section to see if that would help . Incidently , What is he doing holding that stick . I thought only officers had them ?

Thanks again.

[mmm45]

Stick commonly known as Swagger Stick if you google it

The Shoulder Title could be RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery)
RFA (Royal Field Artillery or RHA (Royal Horse Artillery) difficult to find him unless you have any medals his number will be on rim

Ady

[weste]

There are quite a few robert hardy's in the military records.  Had he a middle name, what do you know of where he was living.

[Johnsonsyard]

Hi Ady and Weste,  thanks for your vomments .Robert had no middle name. I was wondering if there was some way of getting that shoulder enlarged in such a way to see what it says . Anyway the swagger stick, whats he doing with one . He was'nt an officer . If he was a driver would he have a stick to ride the horse ?

regards


Nick

[mmm45]

Swagger Stick" is probably the wrong terminology they are more "Walking Out" sticks....If you have a look at lots of Other Rank photos circa Great War theres lots about.
Frogsmile from Great War Forum has put a good explanation here

"The walking out canes as we think of them today were predominantly used by ORs only and generally short and thin with brass/nickel ends, often engraved with a regimental badge. They began and had their zenith in the Victorian Era when soldiers were encouraged to walk out in a smart uniform when out of barracks. The idea was to make the soldier feel good about himself but also to improve the standing of the soldier in society, which had for a long time not been good.

In WW1 and before officers usually carried walking sticks and it was not until between the wars that they started to carry either canes, or riding crops, with regimental adornment. This was generally in the 1920s and by the 1930s the fashion had changed again to either plain, (brown or black) leather covered canes or, (often in hot climates) bare and unadorned knobbly cane. This fashion later had a resurgence in the 1950s when a concerted attempt was made to brighten up the drab post war uniforms"


Ady