Identify uniform / cap badge

[gadse]

Please could anyone tell me which regiment this soldier is from, I've been unable to find anything which looks similar to his cap badge. I'm assuming this is WW1 period but haven't been able to find a record for him either.
Also, what has he got hanging from his belt at the left? I have another photo from a different angle which shows this better, could upload if needed

[hugatree]

I am reliably informed that the accessory is a bayonet case.  OH is checking out the badge...

[hugatree]

OH says it's General Service Corps, British or Canadian, 1908-1935 badge, defo WW1 as he's wearing puttees not gaiters!

[gadse]

Very many thanks, what a speedy reply. He lived in Fleetwood so must be British

I've inherited a quantity of old photos, many of which are WW1. Seeing as how this post has been successful I'll now go and prepare my other queries for uploading.

[LJReb123]

Hello,

I would have gone for The Manchester Regiment..bayonet scabbard to the right of picture..

any chance of a close up of the shoulder strap?

David

[macintosh]

I would agree with Manchester Regiment, The General Service Corps were formed in 1942 according to my reference and this soldier is certainly ww1 or just after.

Though the lack of medal ribbons suggest ww1

James

[hugatree]

OH is convinced about GSC being around in WW!, now I have this link too:

http://www.militaryheadgear.com/items/9137

but he also says that, as the photo is not too clear, it could also be Manchester.  That's what I call hedging your bets

[macintosh]

After having looked again I can see why  OH takes the view that it is the General Service Corps   which wore the Royal Arms as its badge, however  my reference book says they were not formed until 1942,
Having looked again given that this soldier is in ww1 uniform I came across this reference to Royal Reserve Regiments,
In 1900 The Garrisons were emptied of first line troops for service in South Africa  and they needed to be replaced by other troops so the Royal Reserve Regiments were raised, So without quoting chapter and verse and aware of the copyright etiquette, the Royal coat of arms was used for the Home Counties  Northern, Southern and Eastern Regiments, So I will suggest that this soldier is from one of these units, precisely which one is not possible to say, I will say that I was not correct in my view it was the Manchester Regiment though it is easy to see the similarities in both badges and why OH came to the conclusion it was the General Service Corps and I to mine that it was the Manchesters.


James

[gadse]

Hi all

Thanks for all the replies, what an interesting discussion. Having looked at the military headgear link I do think that looks very much like his badge.

I'm attaching the other view I have of him, and a close up of his shoulder, in the hope that these may provide further clues