Author Topic: More uniform / rank / anything identification  (Read 2498 times)

Offline goggy

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #9 on: Wednesday 03 August 05 03:56 BST (UK) »
G,Day all,just a little pecadillo,the subject is 'wearing' Signaller's insignia'he is a Corporal.
Howsomever,(harumph!)they dont look to be stitched onto the sleeve,nor are they in the right position for a Specialist grade,ONE such i.d was worn on the left sleeve,2 inche's above the cuff.Never,never looking as tho' it could be ripped off,as it certainly would have been in any cursory inspection!!
The Captain's photo is all hunky dory,even to the Malacca cane,good on you manmack on the cap badge.
The tunic in the younger photo also look's like Denim,workwear,or tropical,not serge.
At a guess I'd say youv'e got a darn good "Bullpit"photo as sent home by so many young men,self included(!)to keep Mum happy.
        For what i'ts worth,Goggy.

Offline manmack

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #10 on: Wednesday 03 August 05 09:06 BST (UK) »
hiya goggy,its tropical gear hes wearing,the insignia is sopposed to look like that,in the tropics,men had to change their uniform daily,anyone with rank insignia would have to unpick the stitching,wash the tunic and sew it back on again,so they introduced a clip on type,where all he has to do is unhook it and clip it on his clean one,mack
military history,mainly ww1,manchester pals battalions,tyneside irish +tyneside scottish brigades,leeds,liverpool,accrington,birmingham,hull,barnsley,swansea and salford pals.

Offline ajbaker

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #11 on: Wednesday 03 August 05 12:22 BST (UK) »
Brilliant! Thanks for your replies. I learn something new every day on this forum.

Goggy and Mack - you're absolutely right about the tropical bit. The first photo was taken in Bangalore, where he was with the Loyal North Lancashires, probably 2nd battalion, and from there he was sent to East Africa. Interesting what you said Mack about the clipon type of rank insignia.

His medal card says he was a lance sergeant before becoming a 2nd lieutenant. Is it likely that he was a corporal before being a lance sergeant? Does his medal card only give details from the beginning of the war or would it include details of regiments and ranks from before the war?

By the way Mack, I've got to say thanks for pointing me in the direction of the Great War Forum in a previous thread - one of the guys on there had one of Thomas Clayton's brother's medals in his collection and we were able to exchange photos and info.

I agree, Annie, about Mack knowing his stuff. It's great that we have such people helping out on Rootschat.

Cheers,
Adam
Middlesex: BAKER CLAYTON
Surrey: STILWELL
Somerset: BAKER BOWDITCH
Dorset: BAKER BOWDITCH
Hertfordshire: ELLIS
Kent: LANSDELL
Essex: GREEN
Northumberland: FORTH OGILVIE
Germany: HANISCH
Denmark: INGWERSEN

Offline manmack

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #12 on: Thursday 04 August 05 01:53 BST (UK) »
adam,hes not really a corporal in the picture,hes a lance sergeant,in the guards,a lance sergeant is part of the ranking structure,but in infantry regts etc,a lance sergeant is a corporal,hes paid the rate of a corporal but hes actually a sergeant waiting for the next vacant sergeant post,he can wear three stripes or two,but he has the privelages of a sgt,eg he can use the sgts mess,but till he attaines the rank of sgt,he will go down on paper [officially] as a cpl,mack
military history,mainly ww1,manchester pals battalions,tyneside irish +tyneside scottish brigades,leeds,liverpool,accrington,birmingham,hull,barnsley,swansea and salford pals.


Offline goggy

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #13 on: Thursday 04 August 05 03:49 BST (UK) »
manmack,ajbaker,t'riffic!!
Sorry to put more block's in the way,my mob was infantry,we served in the Middle East,but a wee bit later!Our classification badges were only worn on the serge uniform's.Tropical badge's of rank were on an arm band.
Only the Regt;name was clipped on,on the epaullette.
Again,good on yer manmack!!
                          Goggy. ;)

Offline ajbaker

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Re: More uniform / rank / anything identification
« Reply #14 on: Thursday 04 August 05 09:21 BST (UK) »
Hi Goggy & Mack,

Thanks for the info about corporals / lance sergeants / tropical uniforms etc. It's all fascinating stuff.
Mack - I think I understand what you said about the ranking structure concerning corporals / lance sergeants etc. It sounds very complicated.

Cheers,
Adam
Middlesex: BAKER CLAYTON
Surrey: STILWELL
Somerset: BAKER BOWDITCH
Dorset: BAKER BOWDITCH
Hertfordshire: ELLIS
Kent: LANSDELL
Essex: GREEN
Northumberland: FORTH OGILVIE
Germany: HANISCH
Denmark: INGWERSEN