Mystery WW1 pictures
 

Gentlemen, I would like to show you some pictures from WWI showing my grandfather (marked X). He served with the Belgium 3rd Coy, 3rd Batt, 8th line regiment and was taken POW on 24 August 1914 at Bioul, sent to camp Soltau in Germany until 15 January 1917 when he was interred in Switzerland and finally demobbed 12 April 1918.

In picture 1 there are clearly two British soldiers, Royal Artillery and Rifle Brigade(?). The odd thing is that my grandfather appears to be wearing the pattern 1915 uniform.

Picture 7 again shows a British gunner, a kilted Scotsman and a French (?) officer lying on the ground at the right. All Belgium soldier appear to be wearing the 1915 pattern uniform.

I would appreciate your thoughts on how the pictures would match his army career.

Two more pictures showing British and Belgium soldiers, some men are also shown on the previous pictures.

The badge on the cap of the soldier on the right (as viewed) in picture 1 looks more like the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, than RA.

Marc

I fully agree. The other soldier is likely from the Rifle Brigade ( or an affiliated London Bn. ) and has blackened buttons as well. I think the Highlander is from the Black Watch.
CB

A while ago I was given a POW photo album from WWI. I think it likely that these photos were all POWs and the reason for the mix of uniforms and scenery. The POW camps in WWI had quite a mix and there were often shows and plays done by the inmates. It could be that he was also involved in something like that, hence the ladies present, possibly assisting in some way. The mountain backdrops could have been made as scenery for a play too? The 1915 uniforms could have been supplied to replace clothing which was falling apart.
Cheers,
Alex

Got to agree with you Marc,Royal Warwicks cap badge .

I agree with the above posts, Luc. There are lots of examples of these prisoners of war photographs at Soltau and other camps posted at the greatwarforum.org.

You're quite right Marc, my mistake.
So these are likely taken as a POW at Soltau. I never would have guessed, thank you gentlement for this information.