Old Suffolk Photo – Who are they?

[Rds]

Old Suffolk Photo – Who are they? Would love to get the photo to their relatives!!

2 unknown People, safely assuming Husband and Wife with lots of medals.
In the Suffolk Area… Maybe Hessett, Beyton, Rougham etc. general Stow, Suffolk area.
Maybe connected to – Bullett family, Feakes family, Cobbold family, Sergeant family or Cocksedge family… just to name a few!

Medals include what looks like a “Queen's South Africa Medal” so per WW1, two 1914 Star and/or 1914–15 Stars and many others relating to WW1.
Not sure what the lady is holding, it has the word “South” on the right-hand side, so maybe something to do with South Africa?

Very much think it is a long shot, but they might be related to someone here, or someone might recognise them… who knows!

Anyways… if they are your relatives, then you are welcome to the photo and I would love to know how/why it came to be in my late Grandmother’s (or her parents/in laws) possession.

Thank you!

[ShaunJ]

My first thought was that they could be brother and sister, and she is wearing her late husband's medals.

[suey]

My first thought was that they could be brother and sister, and she is wearing her late husband's medals.

Looks likely, they do have similar facial features, chin, over the eyes, both seem to have brown eyes, face shape is also not dissimilar.

[tonepad]

The lady appears to be holding a Boer War Christmas Gift Tin:

https://www.godalmingmuseum.org.uk/?page=boer-war-christmas-tin


Tony

[purlin]

At least 3 of the medals worn are the same on both people.
I agree with ShaunJ they look like brother and sister.

[Dyingout]

Yes She is wearing the medals on Right breast. Done for a deceased relative
I wear with pride my deceased fathers On Armistice day.

[Rds]

Yes, could always be a brother and sister. I always assumed Husband and Wife, wearing their Son's medals... but then would be on the wrong side for the gentlemen, as they are on his left breast they must be his own!!! Interesting!

So yes, it could also be a brother and sister, him wearing his own medals and her her late husband's or Son's medals.
or a Husband and Wife, him wearing his own and her their deceased son/s.

Would definitely agree with tonepad, it is a Boer War Christmas Gift Tin.
Was this a gift from the State? And for a reason? Or was it widely available for all to purchase... will do some research on this Tin to find out more!

As I do have a very very distant relative that was KIA in the Boer War, he also had 4 bothers that served in WW1, only one of which came home... this could be the sole survivor of the brothers and a sister/wife/mother etc.

But again how the photo ended with my grandmother is another mystery, as I said it is a very very distant relative... something like a 3rd or 4th cousin 3 or 4 times removed...

But I will explore this branch on the tree more and see where it leads!

Thanks all for your replies, information and time!

[John915]

Good evening,

She is wearing the QSA with 4 or 5 bars, KSA with 2 bars. The 1914 or 1914/5 star, the war medal and victory medal.

He is wearing the same six medals plus two others (top Left) which I have to go and ID. Interestingly he has all his sewn on to the waist coat. Maybe done for the photo or he has them on there permanently to wear when going out.

John915

[John915]

Back again,

He was obviously a career soldier. He is wearing, top row L to R, India general service medal 1895, Queens sudan medal. Queens South Africa medal  and Kings South Africa medal.

Bottom row L to R, 1914 or 1914/15 star, War medal, Victory medal and the General service medal 1918.

I believe he probably wore them all the time as the colours are faded more than would be normal.

John915

Added; Due to the fading I first thought the 2nd medal top row is the East and Central Africa medal. But when I blew the picture right up There is a vague strip down the middle so that made it the QSM.