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  #1  
Old 25-07-16, 10:49 PM
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Default Help Identifying A Boer War Unit..?

Hi Gents,

I have a interesting original period photograph which is quite important to some research I'm doing. It would be of great help if I could identify the unit.

I believe it is Boer War vintage and also most likely an Australian mounted unit. Please see some enlarged screen shots of the insignia. Perhaps these might ring a bell with someone more familiar with Australian insignia from this period.

Cheers,

Roy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 3.45.17 PM.jpg (55.4 KB, 54 views)
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 3.45.34 PM.jpg (17.3 KB, 42 views)
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 3.45.43 PM.jpg (28.3 KB, 48 views)
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Last edited by Roy; 25-07-16 at 11:24 PM.
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  #2  
Old 26-07-16, 12:02 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roy View Post
Hi Gents,

I have a interesting original period photograph which is quite important to some research I'm doing. It would be of great help if I could identify the unit.

I believe it is Boer War vintage and also most likely an Australian mounted unit. Please see some enlarged screen shots of the insignia. Perhaps these might ring a bell with someone more familiar with Australian insignia from this period.

Cheers,

Roy.
Hello Roy, I can't recognise the shoulder titles, but that looks like the outline of a New Zealand fern on the chaps right collar?
Phil.
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  #3  
Old 26-07-16, 03:08 AM
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Hi Phil,

I see what you mean, but I think it's just a shadow. Pic attached for a better look.

Hopefully there will be further comments to help with this one.

All individuals (nine in total) are wearing the same distinct shoulder title, so I suspect this will be the best clue to identifying this unit. I was suggested by a contact of mine that this is the New South Wales Regiment but as I have little knowledge of Aussy units, I really can't say.

Cheers,

Roy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 7.17.58 PM.jpg (26.2 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 8.14.35 PM.jpg (38.4 KB, 26 views)
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Last edited by Roy; 26-07-16 at 03:17 AM.
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  #4  
Old 26-07-16, 04:32 AM
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Hi Roy,
This is a complete stab in the dark, based on the shape (as we cannot make out the actual letters) of the title and the design of the slouch hat.

I am leening towards 'Lumsden's Horse'

See following sites:

http://www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-...umsden-s-horse - click on image in first post

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/REL/15673/

http://gmic.co.uk/topic/28550-a-mino...ge-collectors/

Steven
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  #5  
Old 26-07-16, 05:04 AM
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Hi Steven,

I think that is a pretty good suggestion.

The shoulder title certainly appears to be the same shape.

Also I zoomed in on the headdress and although blurred there is a badge, as per the image on the link. Pics attached.

Cheers,

Roy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 10.01.43 PM.jpg (20.2 KB, 27 views)
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-25 at 10.01.49 PM.jpg (21.8 KB, 26 views)
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  #6  
Old 26-07-16, 07:44 AM
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hi roy
it doesn't look in any way australian to me.
the hat and uniform are all different patterns than the aussie issue and the shoulder title unless unoffical does not conform to australian either
i would suggest another colonial or south african unit
bc
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  #7  
Old 26-07-16, 02:07 PM
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Thanks for that BC,

SA was my next best guess, so I will start a post in that section on the off chance.

Also the links that Steven have posted do contain a photo of slough hat and shoulder title that look like a close fit, screen shots attached.

Cheers,

Roy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 7.13.06 AM.jpg (15.6 KB, 9 views)
File Type: jpg Screen Shot 2016-07-26 at 7.13.24 AM.jpg (25.5 KB, 7 views)
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Last edited by Roy; 26-07-16 at 02:15 PM.
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  #8  
Old 26-07-16, 03:24 PM
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Hi Gents,

I have been doing a little research and come across a few images of chaps who served with Lumsden's Horse, which was Steven's suggestion. And must confess the uniform and equipment (to my eyes) looks like a match. Aside of course from the previously mentioned insignia.

See these two images attached. A) is from the photo I have and B) is a confirmed Lumsden's chap.

Cheers,

Roy.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg A.jpg (19.1 KB, 15 views)
File Type: jpg b.jpg (28.9 KB, 17 views)
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  #9  
Old 26-07-16, 05:31 PM
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Okay Gents,

I may be getting a bit ahead of myself here but I've been looking through the on-line version of the history of Lumsden's Horse. There are a lot of portrait photographs showing all ranks of this unit.

I think (?) I may have identified the officer. In my original photo his rank is shown as Second Leftenant, the photo from the book which I presume is post war has him as Captain, so if correct one would assume a promotion.

Take a look at the two images and let me know what you thing. To my eyes this chap looks the same or pretty darn close.

Cheers,

Roy.
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Last edited by Roy; 26-07-16 at 10:29 PM.
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  #10  
Old 27-07-16, 04:25 AM
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Looks like a match to my eyes as well Roy.
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  #11  
Old 27-07-16, 04:38 AM
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Thanks Steven,

I have been looking at chaps from this unit all day and this one really does stand out as looking identical.

It's always fascinating to learn of a unit that one previously had not knowledge of. Now where can I get one of those badges...?

Cheerio and many thanks again for the links Steven, I'm still exploring them.

Roy.
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  #12  
Old 27-07-16, 11:50 AM
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I agree with the identification of the officer, well done!

As far as the equipment goes, the pattern of the leather bandoliers is very distinctive, and so is the manufacture of the slouch hat. I have not seen either of these items in other photos of the ABW, but when I look at other pics of Lumsden's Horse it seems that the hat and the bandolier are characteristic of this unit. I see the unit came across from Calcutta, and I wonder if their kit was made up there, to a local specification?
Local styles of kit were not unusual in the ABW - several patterns of kit are seen, e.g. the "Royston pattern" bandoliers used by the Natal volunteers were quite distinct - though completely different to Lumsden's Horse bandoliers.
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Old 27-07-16, 12:07 PM
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And here's chapter and verse about Lumsden's Horse:

https://archive.org/stream/historyof...ge/n9/mode/2up
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  #14  
Old 27-07-16, 02:59 PM
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Hi Rob,

Thank you for your thoughts. The style of the bandoliers intrigued me too and after some initial research, it had crossed my mind that this may have been unique to this unit. Thanks also for the link to the book, it was this link where I was able to identify the officer. I'm planing to track down a nice first edition copy of the book (I like old books too) and look forward to reading all about the history of this unit. Who knows there may even be more specific details about Holmes.

If anyone has an image of the Lumsden's slough-hat badge could they let me know. I have been unable to find such thus far. I guess finding he actual badge might be a stretch, but never say never!

Cheers,

Roy.
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  #15  
Old 28-07-16, 03:00 PM
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Roy, you may get a wealth of information about the LH kit and the unit by posting an enquiry on the Victorian Wars forum. There are experts there who know every detail of Boer War (e.g. Slade Wallace) kit - and the variations thereof.
Rob
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