British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum

Recent Books by Forum Members

   

Go Back   British & Commonwealth Military Badge Forum > British Military Insignia > Photographs of British Servicemen and Women Wearing Insignia

 Other Pages: Galleries, Links etc.
Glossary  Books by Forum Members     Canadian Pre 1914    CEF    CEF Badge Inscriptions   Canadian post 1920     Canadian post 1953     British Cavalry Badges     Makers' Marks    Pipers' Badges  Canadian Cloth Titles  Books  SEARCH
 
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 20-04-21, 03:47 PM
TrussThurlby TrussThurlby is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Default trying to identify Victorian soldier

This photos shows one of my ancestors, either in the Truss or Thurlby families (although he might have married in, so not necessarily that surname).
I've been told that the uniform is that of a pre-1902 Royal Artillery officer.

Does anyone know whether that is correct, and is there any way I can identify him?

Many thanks!

Dick
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Royal Artillery Officer.jpg (47.8 KB, 95 views)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20-04-21, 04:04 PM
Bill A's Avatar
Bill A Bill A is offline
Super Moderator
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 11,529
Default

Hello TrussThurlby, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.
__________________
Res ipsa loquitur
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20-04-21, 04:12 PM
manchesters's Avatar
manchesters manchesters is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 7,572
Default

Dick,

Your information is indeed correct.
He could be a Regular Officer or a Volunteer Officer. The first had gold coloured badges and the latter silver coloured. Obviously thats impossible to tell the difference in old photos.

If there were any words you could read on his helmet plate that would give an answer but alas I feel its too small.

Whats the photographers address on the rear?

regards
__________________
Simon Butterworth

Manchester Regiment Collector
Rank, Prize & Trade Badges
British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 21-04-21, 03:31 PM
TrussThurlby TrussThurlby is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Default Royal Artillery officer

Hi Simon,
Thanks very much for getting back to me: that's very useful.
I've looked at the helmet plate with a hand lens, and it's not just small but completely blank - flared out.
The photographer was William Hall, 80 West Street, Brighton.
Best wishes,
Dick
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 21-04-21, 06:55 PM
manchesters's Avatar
manchesters manchesters is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 7,572
Default

Dick,

Looking at his age and lack of medals I would suggest he is a Volunteer Officer, but thats not certain.

The 1st Sussex Artillery Volunteers were based at Brighton, but there again most large coastal towns had similar Artillery Volunteers.

I can find no officers with the surname Truss or Thurlby in any regiment of the British Army in the 1880's and 1890's which is when the photo would have been taken.

regards
__________________
Simon Butterworth

Manchester Regiment Collector
Rank, Prize & Trade Badges
British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 22-04-21, 07:17 PM
TrussThurlby TrussThurlby is offline
New Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 3
Default thanks!

Thanks Simon, for looking so carefully: I'm not entirely surprised, I had a feeling that he probably married in to whichever family was. (Both these strands of my ancestry are mid-England, Northants or Lincolnshire, so I suspect the Brighton location was a holiday one.
Best wishes, Dick
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23-04-21, 07:15 PM
Pembird Pembird is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 505
Default

Although my knowledge on this subject is not great, l did think that artillery helmets had a ball top rather than a spike, can anybody clarify this for me please.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23-04-21, 08:23 PM
manchesters's Avatar
manchesters manchesters is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Lancashire
Posts: 7,572
Default

When the Home Service helmet was introduced in 1878 the RA had spikes. It was changed soon after but not sure of the date. The photo is probably early 1880!s. Regards
__________________
Simon Butterworth

Manchester Regiment Collector
Rank, Prize & Trade Badges
British & Commonwealth Artillery Badges
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 23-04-21, 08:52 PM
Pembird Pembird is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Posts: 505
Default

Thanks Simon
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 28-04-21, 10:53 AM
Toby Purcell's Avatar
Toby Purcell Toby Purcell is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Completed colour service and retired
Posts: 3,202
Default

For w-what it's worth, the very light rendition of the lace by orthochromatic film (when compared with other past images that had a ratified provenance) confirms Simon's suggestion that he is an officer of Volunteer Artillery.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
pre-1902, royal artillery, victorian

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

mhs link

All times are GMT. The time now is 02:34 PM.


Powered by: vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.