What regiment?

[MJBatten]

I found this amongst my dad’s photos. I can’t work out who the man is in my family as I thought I knew everyone who has served in the military. Could anyone help with what regiment this may be as I could then see if I can work out who he is in my family.

Thank you

MJ

[Ladyhawk]

Do you think it could Northampton Regiment?

Do you think it looks similar to this picture?

https://collection.nam.ac.uk/detail.php?acc=1986-10-14-1

[MJBatten]

I’m not quite sure. Doesn’t look like the cap badge in the centre quite fits with the Northampton reg. I’m also trying to figure out the medal. Wondering if it’s pre WW1.

[haliared]

I think it is the Essex Regiment, see below.....

https://www.icollector.com/BRITISH-ESSEX-REGIMENT-COLOR-SERGEANT-UNIFORM_i48506881

[Andy J2022]

I confirm the identification for the Essex Regiment. Note the three seaxes on the collar dog which are the heraldic symbol for Essex.


His medal could be the Territiorial Efficiency Medal. Image here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Territorial_Efficiency_Medal,_obverse.png

[MJBatten]

Thank you. Now this makes sense as I had two great great uncles in the Essex regiment on my dad’s maternal side. It’s now figuring out which one he was, although he looks a little old to be then in the photos, as they both fought in the First World War.  I’ll try and figure out the medal, which may help. Thank you for spotting the Essex heraldic symbol.

[SiGr]

Hi,

Going by the ribbon and design it looks to be a version (either Queen Victoria or Edward VII, I think) of the Volunteer Officers' Decoration. See the link below.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volunteer_Officers%27_Decoration

If you are researching online you should likely be looking for someone with the post-nominal letters V.D. That would help date the photo as well as a 'not taken before'. His award would have been published in The London Gazette - you can access this online. And likely mentioned in the local newspaper(s).

Good luck with your research.

Simon

[SiGr]

By the way, you can also see three markings on his epaulettes. So he was either a Colonel or a Captain. I'm afraid I cannot make out which and my knowledge of Victorian military uniform is negligible - but someone on here will doubtless be able to tell which.

[MJBatten]

Thanks Simon. That’s a huge help. I will get hunting.

MJ