[Alex Rice]

Hi High Wood
You are correct with your photos, but rank-and-file troops were not usually issued with sporran badges, especially during WWI, so I don't think your argument is correct. Military Pipe bands, however, were normally badged on sporran and baldrick, and if the chap was a sergeant-piper, it is highly unlikely that he'd still be waiting for the issue of badges.
It's strange that he appears to be in a military camp, but unless it's one of the volunteer battalions or TA, I still have my doubts whether this is military.
Cheers,
Alex