a Victorian militia sergeant. - British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

JIMBODIXON · #1 24-09-13, 12:29 AM

For comment please. I think this postcard image is of a member of 52 Hobsons Bay Infantry from Melbourne Victoria. Reverse is dated 21 January 1914 and his first name is Hedley. He is writing to his sweetheart Miss Margie Bourke, Invermay in Tasmania. Too much to ask if anyone knows his surname!!

Jim

Tinto · #2 24-09-13, 03:23 AM

Hi Jim,
Assuming he survived the War, and possibly married his sweetheart, a look in the Victorian and Tasmanian marriage records may find him/them.
Cheers, Tinto

Donny B. · #3 24-09-13, 05:35 AM

He looks very young, doesn't he.

What is engraved on the bottom left hand corner of the frame?

I Man

JIMBODIXON · #4 24-09-13, 06:15 AM

Hi Donny,
They all were very young. I can make out a date 9/8/17. There is a name but I can't read it. I can't say for sure whether the frame and the pic are associated, but that's how i got them.
Jim

JIMBODIXON · #5 24-09-13, 06:21 AM

Hi Tinto,
I should have thought of that myself!! Thanks for that.
Jim

High Wood · #6 24-09-13, 07:52 PM

A possibility?

REYNOLDS, HEDLEY JAMES
Rank: Driver Service No:387 Date of Death:03/04/1917 Age:21. Regiment/Service:Australian Infantry, A.I.F. 52nd Bn. Grave Reference A. 18.Cemetery BAPAUME AUSTRALIAN CEMETERY
Additional Information:

Son of J. K. and M. M. Reynolds, of Penguin, Tasmania.

Donny B. · #7 25-09-13, 01:48 AM

I need to know more about early uniforms! It seems to me that most studio or posed photos usually picture the soldier in full uniform, with a jacket rather than a shirt like top.

He looked very young to me and, though perhaps much smarter looking, made me think of ........

http://museumvictoria.com.au/collect...-victoria-1914

I Man

JIMBODIXON · #8 25-09-13, 01:51 AM

Hi Simon,
I don't know how you did it, but I think you have nailed it! The evidence seems to point to Hedley James Reynolds as the Sergeant of Militia (maybe a Senior Cadet rank). - parents residing at Penguin on the nth coast of Tasmania not too far from Invermay and his sweetheart. Right age too as the pic suggests an 18 y.o. in 1914. It is very sad to think his life was cut short at such a young age. Thank you very much for your help.
Jim

High Wood · #9 25-09-13, 06:39 AM

If it is him he was a veteran of the Gallipoli campaign. His service papers are on the Australian National Archives website.