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British Army Regiment Identification

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

John

John Report 15 Jun 2023 10:39

Hello all out there,
I have a studio photograph of my grandfather taken circa 1916 but little other information as to what regiment he served with during WW1. Anyone out there have any useful advise as to where to try and get an identification of possible regiment from the photograph.
Many thanks

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 15 Jun 2023 11:19

Welcome to the boards, John.

If you can upload the photo to your GR Keepsafe, make it public, and post a link to it here, we can have a look at it.

What were your grandfather's name, age and place of birth?
Have you looked for his army record online - for instance on Ancestry or FindMyPast?
Many WW1 records have not survived, but you might be lucky.

If you give us his details, we can have a look too.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 15 Jun 2023 12:21

This site might perhaps be helpful:

https://www.researchingww1.co.uk/interpret-ww1-photographs

Or this:

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/military-uniform-badges-and-portrait-photographs

KathleenBell

KathleenBell Report 15 Jun 2023 18:23

There are pictures of army cap badges here:-

https://www.epicmilitaria.com/british-ww2/british-insignia/british-army-cap-badges.html

Kath. x

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 15 Jun 2023 18:37

Sent PM to John to let him know there are replies.

As he's new to the boards, he may be expecting GR to notify him of replies.

John

John Report 15 Jun 2023 19:30

https://www.genesreunited.co.uk/keepsafe/asset/details/211133015
Hopefully the link works.
I have looked for his details on various sites but not found anything 100% definite.
His name Allan Crane , born 1885 in Burgh, Suffolk. Would have been 30 in 1916.
From the photo my initial thoughts are that he might have been in the Royal Horse Artillery. Be nice to have some other thoughts on it.

greyghost

greyghost Report 15 Jun 2023 22:34

Records available on FMP and Ancestry

British Army Service Records

First name(s) Allan
Unit / Battalion No 4th Depot
Last name Crane
Residence town Thanet
Birth year 1886
Series WO 363
Birth town Burgh
Series description Wo 363 - First World War Service Records 'Burnt Documents'
Birth county Suffolk
Archive The National Archives
Birth country England
Record set British Army Service Records
Age 30
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Year 1916
Subcategory First World War
Service number 21107
Collections from Great Britain, UK None
Regiment Royal Field Artillery

brightsolid online publishing ltd.
copyright brightsolid online publishing ltd.

From original -

Attested 29.8.1917
To Army reserve 30.8.1916
Mobilized 3.4.1917
Of 17 Surbiton Road, Ipswich, Suffolk
NOK Mrs Alice Crane address as above - married Alice Agnes Wright 31.10.1908 in Stowmarket
Child - Allan Charles William Crane born 22.7.10909 in Ipswich

Height 5' 6", Expanded girth 35 ½ "
British Expeditionary Force to France 20.6.1917,
From RFA to RGA 24.7.1917
Awarded British War and Victory Medals
Demobilised 4.1.19 whilst on leave

Regmental Number - 173998 and 211107

----------
British Army Service Records

First name(s) Allan
Residence town Thanet
Last name Crane
Series WO 363
Birth year -
Series description Wo 363 - First World War Service Records 'Burnt Documents'
Birth town Burgh
Archive The National Archives
Birth county Suffolk
Record set British Army Service Records
Birth country England
Category Military, armed forces & conflict
Service number 173998
Subcategory First World War
Regiment Royal Garrison Artillery

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 16 Jun 2023 01:05

Ancestry's transcription of the same record:

Allan Crane
in the UK, British Army World War I Service Records, 1914-1920
Name: Allan Crane
Gender: Male
Enlistment Age: 30
Birth Date: abt 1886
Marriage Date: 31 Oct 1908
Marriage Place: Newmarket [on image, place name is partly obscured - only ". . . .market" is visible.]
Document Date: 1916
Residence Place: 17 Surbiton Rd, Ips[wich], Suffolk
Military Date: 1916
Relationship to Soldier: Self (Head)
Regimental Number: 17399
Other Regimental Numbers: 211107
Regiment Name: Royal Field Artillery
Number of Images: 12
Form Title: Short Service Attestation
Family Members:
Name Relation to Soldier
Allan Crane Self (Head)
Alice Agnes Wright Spouse
Allan Charles William Crane Child

Details on other pages of the record (as well as those posted above by Greyghost):

Date of attestation 29 Aug 1916.
Age: 30 years, 10 months.
Occupation: Motorman, ICT.
Another address given for Alice Crane, as well as the Ipswich address: 4 Church Street, Hemel Hempstead.

He had slight varicose veins in both legs, but was considered "fit for general service".

There are details of movements and transfers from one place/unit to another, mostly written in abbreviations and initials, or illegible.
As well as serving in France, he was at Luvigliano, Italy, 24/7/1918 - 2/8/1918.
Went on leave to UK 1/12/1918, demobilised while on leave 28/12 /1918.


Although the place of marriage is partly obscured - only ". . . market" visible, it must be Stowmarket, as in Greyghost's post:

Marriages Dec 1908 (>99%)
CRANE Allan Stow, S. 4a 1813
WRIGHT Alice Agnes Stow, S. 4a 1813


He lived at 17 Surbiton Road until his death in 1952.

John

John Report 17 Jun 2023 01:43

Thanks for that input, you have nailed it. All the facts concerning family details are 100% correct. Thak you for your help.
Regards John.