3 replies to this topic

[nf3996]

I'd be grateful for any light that Forum members can throw on the attached photograph. It is an undated, unposted postcard bearing the name C J Wilkinson, 97 Huxley Road, Leyton, N.E on the front  – presumably that of the photographer.

The photograph shows a group of soldiers at camp somewhere. They appear to be wearing uniforms of WW1 vintage, but there is nothing I can see that is clear enough to indicate what regiment(s) they are and where the camp is. I've enlarged sections of the postcard, which might give a few clues.

1.       The shoulder of the soldier on the left has the letters . . . ESTER, but I can't make out any more: Manchester, Leicester, Gloucester? He also has a badge on his arm, but the original is too fuzzy to see clearly what it is.

2.       The soldier lying down in the centre has a badge on his arm and also on his cap, but again they are too fuzzy to see anything clearly.

3.       The soldier on the right is wearing a slouch hat. Might this be a Yeomanry regiment, and might it even be pre-WW1?

If the photographer came from Leyton (now London E10), presumably the camp was somewhere nearby. I live almost next door – in Leytonstone, London E11 – and I'm not aware of any WW1 camps in the area. Were camps sited in nearby Epping Forest perhaps?

Any ideas would be most welcome.

Alan

Attached Files

•  ww1 leyton soldiers 001.jpg   80.6K   0 downloads
•  ww1 leyton soldiers 002.jpg   69.34K   0 downloads
•  ww1 leyton soldiers 003.jpg   71.92K   1 downloads
•  ww1 leyton soldiers 004.jpg   63.18K   1 downloads

[khaki]

The arm badge looks like a "bandsman" badge still studying the rest.
khaki

[khaki]

Having looked more closely I would guess that the regimental badge and shoulder title is Gloucester (territorial??) post WW1, I'm no expert in badges but thats what it looks like to me, the shoulder title looks like its cloth which I thought is post ww1, maybe with a 'T' ? under it. however I am quite happy to be corrected by those with more expertise and better eyesight.
good luck
khaki

[T8HANTS]

Hi  Wearing a battered slouch hat in photos of my local Territorial unit is often a sign of an ex Boer War vet, and are only seen pre WW1.  It would be a rare thing to see one post WW1 if this unit follows the same pattern of 'camp' dress.  It could have come home from another theatre of course!  The number looks like T4 to me.

G