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#1
21-12-12, 04:01 PM
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Old soldier.
I think this is a brilliant picture of a proud old soldier. He is wearing a tunic to a Volunteer battalion of the Cheshire Regiment, but I think he is an ex regular judging by his medals. They seem to span quite a period of time, I know this is not a medal forum, but has anyone any idea’s of the time span. I know the Khedives Star 1882-89 and WW1 medals ( the easy one’s) which dates the photo c 1920.
Old soldiers never die, they just fade away. 
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#2
21-12-12, 05:19 PM
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Quote:
He is a 'pioneer' sergeant (crossed axes) above his sergeant's stripes and yet has no beard, as would normally be expected if a regular. He has the volunteer sergeants 'proficiency' badge above his chevrons (4 pointed star), showing that he has passed the necessary skill sets (not all sergeants chose to challenge themselves with this). On his left cuff he has an individual marksman's badge. On his right forearm he has a sergeant of 'best shooting company' badge (intended to motivate the sergeants to coach their men in musketry - and win best company). He also has a number (not all can be seen) of 'efficiency' stars on the same cuff. These latter were initially issued one for each 5-years returned as efficient (i.e. having attended annual camp and passed key competencies), but this was later reduced to each 4-years. Either way, counting these stars will tell you how many years he has served as a 'Volunteer'. Last edited by Toby Purcell; 21-12-12 at 05:37 PM.
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#4
21-12-12, 06:30 PM
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Looks to me like
1st row Afghanistan Medal 1878-1880 (no clasp) Egypt Medal 1882-1889 (one clasp) Khedives Star 2nd row Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (Edward VII) 1914 or 14/15 star British War Medal Victory Medal If I am correct in my identification of the 1st medal then the subject would have seen service for over 40 years (I would date the photo at no earlier than 1922 - the majority of WW1 medals were issued circa 1922-23). He must have been at least 50 years old at the outbreak of WW1 and still managed to serve overseas in order to qualify for his WW1 medals - impressive PL
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#5
22-12-12, 10:17 AM
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Superb, and I agree all above.
One puzzle: given the date has to be c. 1922 +/- not many, how comes he is in scarlet tunic? Surely not on the "permitted" orders of dress at that time? Did he dig out his 1914 suit, and if so, it still fitted! Pity his right cuff cannot tell its tale of service! Any ideas on scarlet for OR post 1918?
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#6
22-12-12, 11:33 AM
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Quote:
Post 1908/09 a new pattern scarlet jacket was introduced for 'Territorials' - no Austrian knot; pointed cuff and plain piped shoulder strap so that metal titles could be accommodated. A lovely photo though and just goes to show what we're missing badge wise in the age of khaki No.2's
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#7
22-12-12, 12:13 PM
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I bought this photograph on eBay about five years ago, so I have no information on it I just liked it. I had a look at it and just put it away. It was only a few weeks ago I thought about it , when I started to have a good look at it I soon realised it was a bit of a puzzle so that’s why I put it on the Forum. I must say I am glad I did as I have learned a lot by doing so. Thanks chaps
PS. One thing I am amazed at is that he can still fit in the jacket after all them years.
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