Graham Stewart

Plus these N.Z. wings. Graham.

Another set of N.Z. wings Graham

Was given the following N.Z. jump wings quite a few years ago. Have a couple more to post if uploading size allows. Graham.

Bernie, If it is a Canadian photo, rather than one taken here in the UK, then that would explain why I'm having such a hard time pinning the uniform down to a particular unit, although I would certainly date it to around 1911 and the Coronation, based on the peaked forage cap. Sadly although I have lots of information on UK Volunteer units there seems to be a sparsity of information relating to uniforms worn by Canadian units. If it is Canadian then we'll be looking at one of your Militia units, but still a Rifles unit i.e. Winnipeg Rifles, Regina Rifles or whatever. Is there no books or unit websites over there that could possibly help? The lad at the back wearing the felt hat, whom I take to be a member of the unit band does have a badge in it, but I really can't make it out and my thoughts kept going to similar badges worn by American Civil War units. So do hope he wasn't wearing it for a laugh. If you do manage to find out who they are then please keep us posted. Graham.

Bernie, Many thanks for rearranging the photosize and on closer examination the uniform is that of a Rifle Volunteer Regiment, and not Yeomanry as first thought, but it is of a most unusual pattern, the likes of which I haven't seen before. Certainly Volunteers as above the cuff they have an ornate "Austrian" knot, typical of Volunteer uniforms. My impression is that it's following the pattern of the Kings Royal Rifles, but the tunics being of a slightly darker green, what we would call "bottle green" from the dark green of bottles. The facing colour I'm taking to be red, which is on both the collars and band of the peaked forage cap. The pouch belts and waist belts are in black leather and well polished too. Plus they're wearing the same type of whistle and chains as shown in my attached photo. I can't make out any badges, which is a shame, but the lad at the rear is wearing a dark felt hat and as his uniform differs, so I take it that he may be part of the regiments band. The photo was probably taken post 1902, as they're wearing a pointed cuff, which replaced the old "jam-pot" cuff. The peaked forage cap itself wasn't seen being worn by regulars until 1905, so it would have taken a year or two to reach a Volunteer unit. Infact I've had an inspirational thought. Considering the Union Flags and bunting behind this group of men who do appear to be Boer War Veterans, this appears to me to be Coronation Day for George V in June 1911. So as the Territorial Force was formed in April 1908, these are actually Territorials, who would have been taking part in local celebrations. Any ideas as to where it came from? Graham. PS Apologies to Kevin in Deva, who had already recognised it as an official event.

SvF, This badge badge belongs to the Royal Scottish Reserve Regiment, which was formed in March 1900. It was one of several Reserve Regiments formed during the Boer War from old soldiers, who were no longer required as they had already complete their terms of both Regular and Reserve service. The period of enlistment into a Royal Reserve Regiment was generally for a year and I'm lucky enough to have in my collection some service documents to a Thomas Beattie who had served in the Royal Scots from the 24th August 1881 to the 19th December 1893. Having completed 12years regular service he was not required to do any further Reserve service. On the 7th April 1901 at the age of 40years he opted to enlist again for one year into the 2nd Bn, Royal Scottish Reserve Regiment. Graham.

Very nice and would agree that it's probably members who have served in a Volunteer Service Company probably taking part in celebrations at the end of the Boer War. Just can't quite make out any badges as it blurs on enlarging and the uniforms strike me as being either Yeomanry or Rifle Volunteers. The waist belts and pouch belt look an odd colour against their uniforms, because they're either in brown leather or highly polished black. You can just make out what appears to be Austrian knots above the coloured cuffs and because there seems to be a lack of senior rank badges on those in uniform, its telling me they're probably Yeomanry, rather than members of a Volunteer Battalion. On the pouch belt and they are probably wearing "pickers" rather than the lions head boss and whistle and keep(see attached) . Any chance of further close ups? Graham.

Definately "Territorial Army", a title which wasn't introduced until 1st October 1921. Prior to that it had been known as the "Territorial Force" from 1908. Don't know when this particular type of lapel badge for use with civilian clothing was adopted, but when I joined in 1986 it wasn't being worn then. Graham.

Would like to have seen this photo full size, but for some reason all I get is a 1inch square. Even downloading to "my pictures" and trying to blow it up has no effect to it's size, so any ideas as to why I can't seem to view it like everyone else?? Graham.

This ones for some of our South African researchers. I've recently obtained a "Personal Record Book" to J5145 Trooper John Williamson of Pretoria, S.A.. He doesn't appear to have been a regular soldier, but appears to have been called up voluntarily each year for training in the Mounted Rifles. Could they possibly tell me if researching this sort of soldier is possible or are no records available? He was born in 1877 and went onto serve during the South African War from 1899 - 1902 and was still attending annual training in July 1914. Thanks in advance, Graham.

Now we're getting somewhere. The two in Torin's are Major R.D. Brook, M.C. & Adj 1st Bn,R.N.F. and Major M.C.Speer 2i/c 1st Bn,R.N.F., taken in Korea. Note the other additional modes of head-dress worn by officers on campaign. Graham. P.S. Think Brook was the subject for the postcard.

Leigh, An interesting coloured postcard here of an a Major, 1st Bn, RNF in Korea 1950 wearing the Torin cap. The artwork is by Alex Baker who was commissioned by the Museum to do a series of postcards for them, using some of the many photo's that they have there. So although it isn't photographic proof it's an illustration taken from a photo in the Museum, which does give it some credence. Graham.

Leigh, I'll try and do a blow up of the 2nd Bn officers and I also have one of these Torin caps in my collection. A list of coloured officers Field Service Caps was compiled from ACI & AO''s and Dress Reg's by B.L.Davis for his book "British Army Uniforms & Insignia of WWII", and no coloured F.S.C. is listed for the RNF, as they were already wearing the Torin at this time. At the same time neither are they listed in the alternate dress section which includes units wearing the Torin cap. Agree with your observation of Eagers Torin, but believe the coloured welt to be either scarlet or gosling green. I have an almost complete run of St.Georges Gazettes and if my memory is correct and if I can find it, there is an illustration of the Torin being worn post-WWII. I'm an MHS member too, so will look through the booklet, but I've looked through Barclay's History of the R.N.F. and can find no reference to the change in head-dress. It's one of those regimental peculiarities, which are lost in time, and although I've seen illustrations them wearing the blue F.S.C., it always seems to be worn with "blue patrols" only. Post 1940 illustrations show officers in berets and S.D. caps, but I don't think I've seen them in a khaki F.S.C. I'll keep looking. Graham.

Officers 2nd Bn, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, March 1940 wearing their coloured Torin caps with B.D. Graham.

It's actually a Torin cap as opposed to a Field Service Cap and was worn in the Northumberland's for many years as can be seen in this photo of Capt E.B. Eager who was kia November 1899. He's wearing his with the officers scarlet frock coat and in the Regimental History by Barclay it also shows a photo of the 2nd Bn, R.N.F. officers wearing theirs with Battle Dress and as far as I'm aware it could be worn in public as well as other forms of dress. The dark blue officers f.s.c. was the one to be found in blues only. Graham

Gents, In the past it was very rare to be able to share your finds, but with the advent of technology we're able to share our latest finds with others who have a deep interest in our hobby. For our Airborne fans I picked these two up last week at an Antique and Collectors Fair in Nairn, Scotland while on a two week's work detchment. No need to guess what they are, but it's the fact that they're the rare first pattern printed Ordnance Issue cloth badges. Sadly they're not a pair and no printed "Airborne" strip was found, but still for a tenner the two I was happy. Graham.

Hi Stuart, Looking at the bits I can see it appears to be an officers pattern helmet, and something is attacking the gilt finish to the chin scales. Hopefully something can be done pretty soon as it could spread. Considering the age of the helmet is it in a controlled enviroment i.e. cased with moisture/temp control? Sounds a bit O.T.T., but as you live in Australia it could be climatic. Graham.

Stuart, Oops, looks like some form of corrosion is setting in and if not arrested would probably cause damage that can't be reversed. You really need to determine what sort it is before you go about arresting it, for instance is it water based corrosion, dis-similar metal corrosion, chemical(sweat) corrosion. Once you determine what type then you can tackle it, as no two types are the same. My advice would be send this photo to the National Army Museum in London to their preservation department to see if they've come across similar problems and they may be able to advise what to do. Failing that try a museum or university/business that deals with preservation techniques within your region that may be able to help, but it may cost you. Still I think you would rather pay out for this to be preserved rather than see it slowly corrode away. Graham.

[attachmentid=60591] The same badge without the crown and described as worn by bandsmen of "unofficial bands" i.e. Cadet Corps Bands, Squadron Bands(RAF), Royal Naval Bands and band boys attached regimental bands. Graham.

[attachmentid=60570] Tried again. Graham.

[attachmentid=60568] I've tried resizing for a better look. Graham. Sorry didn't work

[attachmentid=60565] The smaller metal K.C. Bandsmans badge being worn on the upper arm. Graham.

Peter, Bandsmans badges as can be seen in the photo of the Bandmaster and having looked at my sources come in two size's large and small. Bandsmen wore a similar badge to the Bandmasters in a smaller size only, these badges were usually held in place with a backing plate. Regimental bands of all British Army bands do not wear these badges in collars or caps, they continue to wear regimental badges. These badges denote that the wearer is a proficient musician, and the Bandmaster carries the rank of W.O.I, hence his dress, which is that of an officer. The other bandsmans badge which is of the same pattern to the above, but minus the crown, seems to pre-date the crowned version and both of these patterns of bandsmens badges can be found in gilding metal, white metal, gold wire and worsted. I'll see if I have an illustration of the badge minus the crown. Graham.

Pat, Looked at the second badge again and to be honest it doesn't look like a British military bandsmans badge, as the wreath on this one is much too big. Graham.

Pat, Sorry to disappoint you but these aren't cap badges they're bandsmens badges and would be found located on the right arm. The top badge is a Bandmasters rank badge and I've attached a photo of a Bandmaster, Northumberland Fusiliers which show's the more ornate cloth version. Not really sure about the second one which would normally be worn on the upper right arm, but it's of a different pattern to what I've normally seen. [attachmentid=60494]