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  #1  
Old 12-11-20, 05:54 PM
Emma Emma is offline
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Default Can anyone tell me anything about this photo

Hi,

This is a picture of my great great Grandparents.

Are you able to tell me anything about the badges etc of his uniform? I know when he joined the army in 1903 he was in the Hampshire Regiment.

Any help would be gratefully received

Thank you

Emma
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File Type: jpg Edward Finch and Caroline Christian.jpg (41.0 KB, 119 views)
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  #2  
Old 13-11-20, 12:07 AM
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Hello Emma, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
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  #3  
Old 13-11-20, 12:21 AM
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The badges indicate he ws a member of the Machine Gun Corps. The two chevrons (Overseas service stripes) on his right sleeve would suggest the picture was taken after 1918. The chevrons on the left sleeve are good conduct stripes and indicate 12 years good conduct. Attached is a better picture of the cap badge, button and the shoulder title.
Dave
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File Type: jpg mgc cap badge.jpg (72.8 KB, 5 views)
File Type: jpg MGC title.jpg (38.2 KB, 3 views)
File Type: jpg MGC button.jpg (64.9 KB, 5 views)
File Type: jpg GS button.jpg (77.3 KB, 4 views)

Last edited by dragon166; 14-11-20 at 01:11 AM.
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  #4  
Old 13-11-20, 12:39 AM
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Welcome Emma.

His cap badge is that of the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) who were formed October 1915 and disbanded in 1922.

On his right sleeve he wears 2 overseas service chevrons, these were introduced from 1918 with each denoting a year’s service overseas during WW1. The 1914 chevron was coloured red and remaining years were blue.

On his left sleeve he has 3 good conduct chevrons with what appears to be a wound stripe above it (I think - just visible).

So we can say he served 2 years overseas during the war, as both stripes appear the same colour we can say 1914 was not one of these years, during which he was wounded. The photo must date between 1918-22, most probably the end of the war I’d suggest late 1918/early ‘19 as if your join date of 1903 is correct he would likely be due a 4th good conduct chevron in 1919.

If I’m mistaken I’m sure others will correct me.

Edit: looks like dragon166 beat me to it, that’ll teach me to make a cup of tea mid typing.

Last edited by Luke H; 13-11-20 at 12:52 AM.
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  #5  
Old 13-11-20, 02:38 AM
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As so often happened, the regiment or corps a soldier began his service with, in this case the Hampshires, changed during the war.
The MGC drew men from all regiments, becoming quite large by the war's end.

CB
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  #6  
Old 13-11-20, 05:55 AM
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Nothing to add other than, he looks to be wearing a 1914-15 star ribbon.
Tony.
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  #7  
Old 13-11-20, 08:08 AM
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I think also there is an 'I' under his MGC title, meaning 'Infantry'.
Also it would have been the General service button on his service dress.

Chris
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  #8  
Old 13-11-20, 01:29 PM
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Have you searched for his 'Service File' which (if survived) would be in the National Archives.
You might get some details if you post a similar quest on the

https://www.greatwarforum.org/
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  #9  
Old 13-11-20, 11:19 PM
Staffsyeoman Staffsyeoman is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dragon166 View Post
The badges indicate he ws a member of the Machine Gun Corps. The two chevrons (Overseas service stripes) on his right sleeve would suggest the picture was taken after 1916. The chevrons on the left sleeve are good conduct stripes and indicate 12 years good conduct. Attached is a better picture of the cap badge, button and the shoulder title.
Dave
To add a little more; in the course of 1915-16, the Machine Gun Sections of infantry battalions were transferred to the MGC (in some cases unwillingly) and the infantry received the Lewis Gun in lieu, He won't have been wearing MGC buttons in this picture, because as a general rule they wore the General Service buttons with the Royal Arms on them. Some MGC units broke the rules - especially those MGC companies and later MGC battalions commanded by Major, later Lieutenant Colonel Graham Seton-Hutchison, an arch self-publicist. MGC buttons were worn by Other Ranks in the brief period 1920-21 before the Corps was disbanded in 1922.
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  #10  
Old 15-11-20, 07:43 PM
Emma Emma is offline
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Quote:
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Hello Emma, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
Thank you
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  #11  
Old 15-11-20, 07:46 PM
Emma Emma is offline
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Thank you all for responding so quickly with the information and pictures. I hope I am responding correctly on here, this is the first forum I have ever posted on!
I am overwhelmed with the amount of information you were all able to share thank you so much.

Emma
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