PRE WW1 CAP BADGE MYSTERY ?

[SIDINSIR]

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Hi - hope someone can help me identify the cap badge on this soldier pictured by a local photographer on Southampton Common.
I believe it was taken in 1904 or 1905.
Why ? Because the photographer was only based in Southampton between 1900 and 1907.
My best guess is London Rifle Brigade ..but I'm not an expert in this area.

[Hoot]

Looks like Army Service Corps to me.

[cbuehler]

As mentioned in another post, ASC is most likely. I had thought possibly Devon, but the shoulder titles and lanyard are more ASC.

CB

[Paul Spellman]

North Somerset Yeomanry ????

[Alan O]

Statistically ASC is the most likely.

[XIII]

He is wearing spurs?

[High Wood]

I also think that he is A.S.C., his belt would tend to confirm a Corps rather than a line regiment. The 1903 pattern leather belt was still largely worn throughout the Great War by the A.S.C. whilst others were issued 1908 or 1914 pattern webbing.

[Paul Spellman]

The metal fence in between the soldier and the tented camp would indicate a paddock enclosure so likely to be a large mounted unit, could possibly be ASC
Some various pics of NSY, lanyards belts n all, there is similarities to OP pic

[Hoot]

The cap badge in the opening post has an eight-pointed star, the cap badge of the NSY has a ten-pointed star.

[SIDINSIR]

My first badge ID moment and such a terrific response. Thank you for much for your help !
The eight pointed ASC badge seems compelling to me ...and yes he's wearing spurs.
Your replies about the badge and uniform - and the knowledge I have gained about the local photographer John Bailey, would likely date the picture between 1903 and 1907.

I have researched the British Army camps and training manoeuvres of that time and my "best guess" would be the weekend of September 3rd and 4th , 1904 when the entire 1st Army Corps based at Aldershot descended on Southampton Common en route to training overseas.
Those 50,000 men were under the command of Sir John French. The Army Service Corps would have been very busy in the weeks and days before , erecting tents and arranging supplies needed for three divisions and a cavalry brigade. Southampton Common is only 2 miles from Southampton Docks , where a fleet of transport ships awaited the men and horses.
John Bailey's photographic studio at 73 Shirley Road , Southampton was within walking distance of The Common. For a jobbing photographer , the chance of selling photos to thousands of soldiers in town for a few days would have been too good an opportunity to pass up.
For those who are interested , I have attached the Hampshire Independent report on the 1st Corps camp at Southampton from Saturday September 3, 1904. You will need to enlarge the files to read.
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