Help identifying soldier in Scottish Regiment - 1905

[Pinetree]

I have two photographs of this chap that have come down through the family.  Sadly none of those left know who he is.

Does anyone know what regiment he was in as that may help with identification.

The photograph is dated "approx 1905" on the back and was taken by Wm Blain, Dumbarton.

In the other photograph he his not in uniform, this also has writing on the back but I still can't make out the surname.  I am going to try the deciphering board for help with the writing.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=564640.new

Pinetree

[macintosh]

Pinetree,
It looks like the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders but the glengarry badge is also similar to the 1st Dumbartonshire Volunteer Rifle Corps which in 1908 became the 9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion of the Argylls.

James

[apwright]

Royal Scots, I think.

Adrian

[Pinetree]

Thank you both for replies.  I think I am getting warmer 

Pinetree

[km1971]

The three parts to his shoulder title shows he was a Volunteer, with the middle part being a V. Volunteers uniforms and badges are often different to the Regular battalions and there are items that favour the Royal Scots while other bits favour the Argylls.

Between the names given by James they were the 6th Volunteer Battalion of the Argylls and were based in Helenburgh, about 15 miles from Dumbarton. He would have had to be a visitor from the east coast to have been in the Royal Scots. His is not wearing a Boer War medal riobbon, so unless he served in WW1 there probably will not be records available.

I would try the museums:

http://www.argylls.co.uk/contact-and-enquiries/contact-museum

http://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/index/tour/highlights/highlights-national-war-museum-scotland.htm

Ken

[Pinetree]

Thank you Ken for that information.

I now think he may be Alexander Baird Nicol who was born in Edinburgh in 1880.

All the best,

Pinetree

[Pinetree]

I have discovered that a gentleman named Alexander B Nicol was a Staff Sergeant in the AOC during WW1.  My grandfather mentioned Staff Sergeant Nicol in his diary of 1917.  I am sure this must be the chap in the photograph as my grandfather was also a Staff Sergeant in the AOC.  All I can find online is his medal card but this does not give any further information to help identify when and where he was born etc. His regiment number was T 510.

If anyone could point me in the right direction for any further information on SS Nicol I would be very grateful.

Pinetree

[John915]

Good evening,

The badge on the sporran is Gordon Highlanders. Also the two long black tails on the sporran are Gordons. So a volunteer battalion of theirs.

John915

[Pinetree]

Hi John,

Thank you for your help.

I have emailed the Museum of the Gordon Highlanders to see if they can help at all, you never know.

All the best,

Pinetree