Welch Regiment Bandsman
 

Hi
I have a Great Uncle Benjamin Richards who after active service with 1/4th Welsh Bn in WW1 re-joined the Welch Regiment in Llanelli and became their Bandmaster. I have a photo of him that looks to me like he may have become a Sergeant Drummer or Drum Major. He is wearing an unusual "tropical?" helmet. Also there is a family story that he was in the Belgium Congo for a while.
Can anyone confirm any of this from the photo? He was born in 1886 so perhaps the photo was taken in 1916?
Thanks in advance
Dennis

Hello Dennis, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
The membership may be able to answer your questions.

I think the helmet is a "Wolseley"?

The Welsh Regiment, from "The Long, Long Trail":

1/4th Battalion
August 1914 : in Carmarthen. Part of South Wales Brigade, which was unallocated to a Division.
Moved to Tunbridge Wells in November 1914 and in February 1915 to the Forth and Tay defences in Scotland.
17 April 1915 : came under orders of 159th Brigade in 53rd (Welsh) Division. Moved to Bedford.
Sailed from Devonport 19 July 1915. Landed at Suvla Bay 9 August 1915.
8 October 1915 : amalgamated with 1/5th Bn, forming 4th Welsh Composite Bn. Resumed original identity 10 February 1916/
11 December 1915 : evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt.
On 3 July 1918, the two battalions merged to form the 4/5th Battalion.

The jacket appears to be war economy so favourite period is c. 1915.
Badges are indeed sergeant drummer, with nicely polished boots.

pic is from an unusual angle but I agree it is a Wolseley

This might be him. Unusually, he has two medal index cards

Yes, with different initials.

Richards . Benjamin (Lee E)

Richards. E (Lee Benjamin) this one shows promotion and discharge date.

Possibly another Benjamin Richards in unit so he started using/was known by other first name "E" and new card made out to avoid confusion ? :confused:


.

The "Lee" is actually "See" (it looked like Lee to me too).
"See" appears on both cards when there's a duplication of MICs as a cross reference.

Thanks Leigh , something new I've learned today. :D

Perhaps the original poster knowns what the "E" stands for ?

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The "X's" indicate the name etc to be used for the medals, looks like he was discharged in 1916.
I can't make out what the entry bottom right on the "E" card is.

Edit - its referring to his correct initial being "B" ( I was a bit slow there).

Another puzzle solved ! ;)

Forgot to say he is not a bandsman, but a drummer, thus of higher status.

The sergeant drummer aka drum major was the senior drummer, led the drums, and led drums and military band when on parade.

And of course the military band had a bass drum and a side drum, but played by bandsmen.

Thanks guys - yes Benjamin Richards mistakenly referred to as "E" not "B" then amended with new card.
So a Wolseley pith helmet useful in Egypt & Palestine where he served. He re-enlisted in 4th Welch R (TA) on 12 March 1921 in Llanelli and served until 1939.
He was one of 8 Richards brothers who served in WW1! They all survived.
Dennis