WW1 uniform identification

[sharyn555]

This photo was taken at the Tukra Tea estate near Darjeeling, India, during WW1. Is anyone able to give me any information about the soldiers. Wondering if they might be in the Hampshire Regiment.

[MaxD]

Others may have better luck but I see no distinguishing badges/marks at all.  The flags above the sergeants stripes simply mean he is the signals sergeant not that they are Royal Signals (which didn't exist until 1920).  There was certainly more than one battalion of the Hampshires in India.

MaxD

[sharyn555]

Thank you for trying. My relative was in the 1/5th and visited the Tukra Tea Estate during his stay in India: 1914 -19. He has a number of photos of the bungalow, factory and tea estate in his album recording his military service. This photo came from a different source - another family member connection. My relative is not in the photo but some of the men look similar to those who were in the 1/5th with him. Is it unusual to have no insignia showing on army uniforms?

[MaxD]

There some with shoulder titles but they aren't readable unfortunately.  The fact that only some have shoulder titles suggest a mix of regiments.  If there was a cantonment nearby there would have been probably more than one regiment stationed there.  As today, there was an almost infinite variety of uniform styles in the army, had they worn their headdress things might have been easier!

MaxD

[BW252]

I think the Sergeant is in fact a Colour Sergeant.    The "flags" above his stripes are Regimental Colours.

H

[MaxD]

Brand new one on me! The badge of the Colour Sergeant was/is a crown above three chevrons adopted 1902, previously three chevrons with crossed Union Flags and crown above since 1868.
 
MaxD

[BW252]

Max D

thanks - I stand corrected

H