Family Historian User Group

Hi everyone,

I am hoping that someone can point me in the direction of somewhere where I can look at uniforms of different types of soldiers/ different regiments/ styles of uniform, etc, so that I can find out more about the people who are pictured here.



This one is the first confirmed photo I have of my great grandfather, and my God he looks so much like my Dad! Anyway, the important thing is that I know he served during WW1 (I've seen the medals and have photos of them- they are the standard ones that were issued, and the story goes he was up on a look-out balloon and at some time got gassed), but I can't find him in the WW1 pension or medal records. I would like a little prod about what to do please.



The second one I have no idea about, but it was in the same bundle of possessions. He looks quite important to me, and possibly Navy? Looks like a gun he's holding.

Very grateful for any tips,
Paula

ID:2796

For WW1 uniforms you could post your picture on

http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/

Someone there should be able to tell you more about it

Regards
Tony

I think it's his gloves he's holding.

Jocelyn

Thanks a million, have registered now with that forum. After another look I think they are gloves too! [lol]

Have you tried to find the first man via the medal card index. This will give you a regiment and service number to go forward with. Obviously his records, may be among the burnt ones, but its worth a try.

I can't find him in the medal card index on ancestry- does that definitely mean his records were burnt? Thanks

I have found out now that the uniform signifies that he was part of the Royal Flying Corps, and though I didn't realise this, regiment numbers are stamped on the back of the bar of the medal (though mine is illegible!). Thanks for everyone's help. Paula

LittleMissP said:
I can't find him in the medal card index on ancestry- does that definitely mean his records were burnt? Thanks

No the medal card should exist even though the records may have gone. Don't forget to look under similar names, as you would for a census. I am not sure if ancestry use the same index as the National Archives, if not then it would be worth checking out their index as well. Also it's possible that if he served right through his records are with the RAF records see the links below for more information.

Royal Flying Corp at the NA Officers


Royal Flying Corp at the NA Other Ranks

I improved the picture and, although I stand open to correction, I think that he might be French or Belgian. I don't think that the thick, corded epaulettes are British style. He also has circular insignia on the lapels, which I don't think is British. Also the cap badge doesn't look British and there seems to be a decorative band around the cap.

Forgot to say that's the second man.

Thanks, that is very interesting to know he might not be British- makes me even more confused now! Think I will post this pic up on the Great War forum too and see what they make of it. Paula

Have you considered the possibility that the uniform in the second picture might not be a military one? Postal service or public transport, for example. The style of the collar and tie, in particular, doesn't look very military to me.

I think that davidb is correct. I had missed that badly knotted tie. No military man would have been photographed like that.

Re 'the medal card index on ancestry'. Don't go there as a first choice - use the one on the TNA site for the Documents Online(?) section, because that index is complete - the Ancestry index to the Medal Index Cards is only part complete.
However, go to the Ancestry index later, because if it IS there, the pictures are SOOO much better. (I think the Western Front Association organised the new filming).
Adrian

The Medal Cards are now all held by The Western Front Association who took them on to ensure that they would be preserved.
As far as I am aware Ancestry is digitising them all which process ought to be completed quite soon.