WW1 uniform needs ID, in Jerusalem

[Lydart]

The attached postcard was one of a collection brought back from Jerusalem from a friends father or uncle after WW1.   Can anyone ID the uniform of the soldiers outside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre ?   I suppose its possible the postcard was hand tinted and the uniforms might not have been blue ?

Any info gladly received !

[jim1]

Any chance of a bigger scan ?

[Lydart]

Hello Jim !   Long time no see !

I'll add another, but it might be too big .... I don't really know what I'm doing with reducing sizes ....

Here goes ....

[ShaunJ]

They are Ottoman police

https://www.ottoman-uniforms.com/s/cc_images/cache_4100444482.jpg?t=1511228323

https://www.ottoman-uniforms.com/1826-till-1918-ottoman-police-uniforms/

[Lydart]

Thank you for your help.   It would therefore seem they were not Brits, but local police, and probably the picture dates from around or before the start of WW1 ?

[ShaunJ]

Jerusalem was in Turkish hands until the end of 1917 and I have no idea how long the police force continued to use the Ottoman uniforms after that, but I would presume that the postcard dates from that pre-1918 era of Ottoman occupation.

[Lydart]

That's very helpful; thank you.    I'd forgotten to 'apply' history to my question !    So the uniforms probably pre-date Allenby's entry into Jerusalem, etc.