Author Topic: Help identifying uniform please of my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941  (Read 3238 times)

Offline misstinkerbell77

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Hello, I wonder if anyone could help with identifying this uniform please.  The man in the picture is my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941.  I previously assumed it was a Navy uniform (he lived in Portsmouth) but have been led to believe it may be a tram driver type uniform.  I am convinced there are numbers or a badge of some sort on the cap?!

I haven't found any Military records for him and am stumped.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me?

Thank you!  :)

Offline still_looking

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Re: Help identifying uniform please
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 03 May 15 09:25 BST (UK) »
Definitely something on his cap, possibly something on the buttons of his jacket as well. Could you post a higher resolution scan of the photo? Might then be possible to make out more detail.

S_L

Offline Hackstaple

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Re: Help identifying uniform please
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 03 May 15 11:49 BST (UK) »
The badge appears to be elliptical and all of the pics I find of Portsmouth tram driver/conductor hat badges are not. Also they are bright with brass. We see light reflected off the patent leather hat band so it would also reflect off the RHS of a brassed badge.

Certainly not navy.
Southern or Southan [Hereford , Monmouthshire & Glos], Jenkins, Meredith and Morgan [Monmouthshire and Glos.], Murrill, Damary, Damry, Ray, Lawrence [all Middx. & London], Nethway from Kenn or Yatton. Also Riley and Lyons in South Africa and Riley from St. Helena.
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Offline misstinkerbell77

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Re: Help identifying uniform please
« Reply #3 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:11 BST (UK) »
Thank you for your replies, it is appreciated.  I am uploading the photo again having rescanned it.  My equipment isn't the best I'm afraid, but I hope the photo will be somewhat clearer now?


Offline misstinkerbell77

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Re: Help identifying uniform please
« Reply #4 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:13 BST (UK) »
Hmm, not really a lot of difference there!  Not sure how else to improve the quality. ???

Offline jess5athome

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Re: Help identifying uniform please of my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941
« Reply #5 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:28 BST (UK) »
Hi, I think he's possibly Merchant Navy, he look's to have the anchor with possible crown above on his cap but I could be wrong  :-\

Frank.

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Offline misstinkerbell77

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Re: Help identifying uniform please of my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941
« Reply #6 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:36 BST (UK) »
Hi, I think he's possibly Merchant Navy, he look's to have the anchor with possible crown above on his cap but I could be wrong  :-\

Frank.

Thank you for your input  :)  I haven't been able to find any military records for Alf at all.  His probate listing doesn't mention any occupation, the CWGC has him listed a civilian war dead.   :-\

Offline Regorian

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Re: Help identifying uniform please of my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941
« Reply #7 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:37 BST (UK) »
I was about to post the same thing. I agree about the badge. I wondered whether he was a port pilot. However, crown and anchor badge points towards Royal Navy. At the same time, the jacket does not look like RN quality.

Added: I have a vague memory that ships pilots belonged/belong to Trinity House, an organisation under the Admiralty. Just a thought.   
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Offline still_looking

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Re: Help identifying uniform please of my uncle, Alfred H W Clark, 1900-1941
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 05 May 15 12:56 BST (UK) »
Was he born in Portsmouth?

S_L