Genealogy Chat

When men joined up in WW1 would they have had some sort of identity pictures taken for army records. does anybody know. I haven't any photos of my grandfather who died in 1917. Just wondered if the army would have any. Gill

According to the new issue of Family Tree Magazine, 'The Army did not take identification photos of individual soldiers in World War 1'. They suggest you contact the relevant Regimental Museum in case they have a photo. Kate.

Thankyou Kate. Just a thought because i havn't any pictures of him at all, would love to see what he looked like. Gill

I know how you feel Gill. I haven't any photos of my grandfather either, and I'd love to know what he looked like. Unfortunately he wasn't in the army though, as he was a footman, and gentleman's servant (don't know if this would keep him out of the army). Kath. x

Gill, You are very unfortunate not to have a grandfather's ww1 photo. When the men signed up it was on an attestation paper. Many had souvenier post card photos made for wives, girl friends and family. Often photos were taken of platoon or company groups either at passing out parades or prior to overseas postings. The best chances of finding a soldier relative photo would be within your own family group or as suggested a direct regimental source, many have museums and other archives. Bob

kathleen Susbscription wasn't introduced until 1916 and he might have been considered too old then, or needed in his present job. nell

I know there was one, his sisters dil says she remembers moving in with her mil and seeing a picture of a soldier in uniform and asking who it was, and being told by mil that it was her brother., but dil is in her 90s now and can't remember what happened to it.So my last hope is the army. Going to ring Litchfield army museum on Tuesday and see if they can find out. I would have thought he was to old about 36 in 1916. Gill

Certainly not too old - the net was cast wider and wider as the war went on. Men in their sixties were serving. Good hunting. Keith