Liverpool & South West Lancashire FHS - Forum

Hello...I am a newly registered poster though I have been reading over these forums often. I have a photograph (unable to attach) of my G-Grandfather Peter D. Wall (1883-1929) in a military uniform. The photographer's name at the bottom is F. G Christopher of Crewkerne and Yeovil.
The uniform has dark, plain trousers, a nehru-style jacket with buttons and piping down the front and a light/white belt at the waist. The collar has two pins on either side (difficult to make out the shape) and the hat is similar to an Imperial Yeomanry forage cap (I found this on a google search). I would love to learn more about my G-Grandfather's military service or at least get some more information on the uniform he is wearing. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi and welcome to the forum. We have put instructions to upload a photograph here http://forum.liverpool-genealogy.org.uk ... =16&t=9817

I have been unable to identify his medal roll but that may be due to lack of information, do you know if he was born in Ireland?

Thank you Mary. No...he was born in Liverpool. Hoping to find out any info on this military photo. I appreciate your help...thank you.

I could be wrong but it looks like a horse on his collar. I have had a look in a list of medals and there is one with a horse and that was Northampton Yeomanry.

Is that him on the 1911 Census living in Toxteth park with his wife Mary Ann Wall (nee Bowden)

If this is him there are two children born and registered during WW1

1/ Births Dec 1915 (>99%)
Wall Mary Bowden Toxteth P 8b 312

2/ Births Dec 1917 (>99%)
Wall Arthur E Bowden Toxteth P. 8b 287

if these are yours you may be lucky and the Regiment and his number may be recorded on the certificates.

There also other clues... under magnification there appears to be a large braiding 'insignia' visible on the forearm of his left sleeve and he is carrying a 'dress' or swagger cane [or crop ?]. His belt has a very elaborate buckle arrangement that I haven't seen before.

A few comments.
The decoration on the sleeve is called an Austrian knot and i believe it was only found only with units of the Volunteers, amateur or part-time soldiers until 1908, when the Territorial Force was formed. A Volunteer would almost certainly serve in a unit close to his home.
The badge of the King's Liverpool Regiment included a horse, but the shape does not look right for that.
Soldiers of that period usually carried a swagger stick when 'walking out', off duty.
It is a pity that we cannot see the cap badge.
More help needed!
D

I don't think its the White horse of Hanover, I think it looks more like a Sphinx.

It may be West Kents? Have a look at this :
http://www.kingshottgenealogy.co.uk/Pag ... chatt.aspx

If you scroll down the badge is shown.

Mark

Zooming in on the collar, could it be something like http://www.militaryantiques.co.uk/showp ... p=12&sess=
Boer War Period Badge South of Ireland Yeomanry, it looks sort of clover like to me.

There is a British Military Badge forum, which may have a wider knowledge than most of us here.
I am on an ipad now and cannot display a link, but Google should give it to you.
D

Thank you all for your replies. I have been researching as you have all been posting and here are a few things that I have found...

This collection of Kings Regimental badges is an image that I copied from Google images. I think that the collar badges are similar to the ones at about 7 o'clock from center (second row up). What do you think?



Also...when I researched the photographer F G Christopher, I found him in the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census'. He was 59 years old in the 1911 census living in Crewkerne. Would he travel to Liverpool to photograph or would the unit have been stationed somewhere down south near Crewkerne or Yeovil?

Katie: Thank you for your research and Yes...that is my Peter Wall in Toxteth 1911.

Thank you all again.

From what Daggers has posted about the Austrian Knot and the swagger stick, it appears the photo was taken before 1908. If the uniform was that of a Volunteer unit, is it likely the unit was at a training camp in Somerset? There were many military establishments in that county, including Crewkerne.

I think the uniform looks similar to this one...

http://www.victorianwars.com/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7338

In outline, yes, but the collar badges and detail of piping round the collar edge are different, and it is these fine points which need an expert. Also there are differences in the belt details. I am sure you are right about the period.
D

Sorry Daggers, didn't explain myself very well. That's exactly what I meant though, I think the uniform is of the same period and similar to the link I posted but it's obviously not the same one. I don't know enough about uniforms or badges to be of much use!

Thank you all again for your invaluable help.

Alcavtay: thank you for leading me to the Victorian wars website. I have actually registered and am about to post my photo there to see what they come up with.

Daggers: thank you for pointing out some overlooked details of the uniform.

I will keep you posted on what I learn from Victorian Wars...but if anyone else has some insight please feel free.