Uniform ID

[jim1]

This has plumes, OR's had horsehair as per photo.

[Regorian]

Whilst the 17th Lancers had white plastron fronts,  the chapka plate in the original photograph is not the 17th. It would have to include a skull and crossbones, as contributed by Jim 1 in a later image. The regimental motto was 'Or Glory'. You can guess the missing word in the motto.



 

[Clifford44]

Many thanks to all who contributed. The bit about the unit being in Ireland sounds very plausible. We lost track of him from Wigan in 1901 living with an aunt and Belfast in 1911 with children who must have been from a previous marriage.
I will post anything more I find but I am much further on now.

[jess5athome]

21st Lancers officer's helmet plate (click on right hand chevron to see second image):

https://www.gunstar.co.uk/21st-lancers-officer-s-lance-cap-chapka-by-cater-co-london-1/Accessories/953279

Looks the same as the original poster's first photo.


Tony

Specsavers for me 

Frank.

[Clifford44]

For those still following this post I have some updated info. I contacted the 21st Lancers museum and they replied quite quickly.
The first image is that of a 21st Lancer(Empress of India) in which he served prewar and he probably was placed on reserve at the outbreak of war.
He was also rebadged and assigned to the 8th (Royal Irish)Hussars.
Having been declared unfit for service in 1917 he was posted to the 2nd Reserve of cavalry based at the Curragh. As his attestation papers are missing this is the best I can hope for.
I have contacted the Hussars museum.

[Regorian]

Thank you Clifford, I can see the pale blue/grey collar, cuffs and plastron colour now.

[jim1]

I can see his MIC now. Sgt. 1933 8/Hussars enlisted 13/1/08 discharged 29/8/17 (no longer physically fit). Entered France 11/11/14.
His SWB record has him as Hood on Ancestry.
In the 2nd. photo he has no stripes but does have 2 chevrons so taken after 13/1/14 & before embarkation 11/11/14. At this time he was in the 8th. Hussars.
The war diary names reservists living in India being recalled to duty but not those in the UK.
Hopefully the 8th. Hussars museum can shed some light on it.
War diary; Ambala Bde.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mx7/
8th. Hussars: 1914-16
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mx8/
1917-
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mxa/

You said this on p.2:

We know he lived in Belfast in 1911 with 5 children, though even there at the age of 29 he is down as married 16 years. (possible mistake in transcription). His death certificate puts him in a suburb of Londonderry

On this Edward Flood's discharge he was aged 29 giving a DOB of 1888.
They can't both be right.
Edward Flood soldier is in Barracks with the 8/Hussars in 1911 aged 22 & single born Manchester.
http://www.rootschat.com/links/01mxc/

Who did your Edward marry, when & where?
Did he marry Sarah Ann Cope Aug. 1917?
Are his parents William & Jane (nee Stott)?

[Clifford44]

Hi to all following this and thanks for your time.
I have received this from the Hussars Museum.

All records of soldiers posted to the Curragh 1914 to 1922 were repatriated back to England in 1922 when the British Army evacuated. The National Archives hold the War Office files. They also suggested The Department of Early Printed books in Trinity College Dublin as they have copies of British Army lists

This is all getting beyond my skill level now and I also feel we may be talking about different Edward Floods.

All the evidence I have comes from family sources but also Ancestry.
My Edward Flood was born in 1883 in Preston. He is on the 1891 census with his mother father and two sisters, Lilain is the one who is my wifes grandmother.
On the 1901 census he is living in Wigan with the Atherton family who are his mothers family.
On the 1911 census he is in Belfast but there are inconsistencies with dates in particular the length and marriage and the age of one of his children. Family history says he had 7 two of whom died which matches the 1911 census. His wife was Mary. Between 1901 and 1911 we know nothing except what has come down through the family.
The two photos come from within the family collection.
My wifes grandmother visited Ireland to see her family we think in the 1950's.

We have Edwards death certificate for 1963 in Londonderryon which it states he was 84 but caant have been as he would only have been 80.
Lots of inconsistencies in his life but then he had an odd childhood. His grandfather was a criminal and ended up in the workhouse and his father fell in Preston dock and drowned.

It would seem the soldier Jim1 has found may not be Edward which increase the mystery.

Can I ask Jim1 where he got all this - just for my own knowledge of sources.

Thanks

[jim1]

The info for Edward came from the 1911 census & I followed it up to his birth.
I think there's been some fibbing in 1911. It's clear Edward & Mary hadn't been married 16 years but I think that's what he put just to make it look respectable.
To be absolutely sure the man in the photos are Edward (you can't always rely on what someone put on back) you need his marriage cert to see what job he had also the birth of one of his children.
I would also want to know what source the Lancers museum have that says he transferred to the 8/Hussars.
At the moment there are too many inconsistences.