Unknown 2nd Lieut. Worcestershire Regiment.

[High Wood]

Does anyone know the significance of the black armband that this officer is wearing and does it help to date the photograph?

If it is official, it might be to mourn the passing of King Edward VIIth. If it is unofficial, it might be to mourn a member of his family killed in action.

Or, it might indicate something else altogether.

[mike_vee]

When did collar pins/bars come in ?

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[High Wood]

No idea, but I would say from other photographs that they were certainly being worn around the time of the Great War.

[JerryBB]

I used to own this tunic and it had the crepe armband still in place, the original owner was commissioned 2nd LT in 1900 and a Captain by 05/08/1911 which is the rank on the tailors label.

[Mike H]

Collars are OSD Worcestershire Regt. My grandfathers Regiment.

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by JerryBB

I used to own this tunic and it had the crepe armband still in place, the original owner was commissioned 2nd LT in 1900 and a Captain by 05/08/1911 which is the rank on the tailors label.

The date would seem to confirm my theory that the black crepe arm band was worn to commemorate the passing of King Edward VIIth, possibly by those officers attending the King's funeral.

If this is correct, this officer very likely served during the Great War. The frame is interesting in that it is in the Arts & Crafts style and has the officer's O.S.D. cap badge mounted on the bottom edge.

[High Wood]

Originally Posted by Mike H

Collars are OSD Worcestershire Regt. My grandfathers Regiment.

As confirmed by the O.S.D. badge mounted on the frame.

[High Wood]

Thanks to the good folk over on the Great War Forum this officer has now been identified as Second Lieutenant Joseph Laurence Hull of the 13th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment. Sadly, he died of wounds received in action on the 19th October 1916.

https://www.greatwarforum.org/topic/...omment-3151200