Mystery Family Photo

[FourZeroCharlie]

I’ve been thinking about the age. He looks very young and yet he’s a Corporal. That leads me to think he‘s probably 25 or thereabouts. Would that be a reasonable assumption for that time?

Oh, yes - very much so.

For every photo of a grizzled Pte, you'll trip over another of a fresh-faced Cpl or Sgt from that era.

We have a possible name, Sidney Tufnell, who would be the right age bracket but we’ve got no evidence of him joining the Army so far.

As you say, a cursory search has not turned up anything for that name.

 

[Nato12345]

Did non-infantry regiments wear the crossed rifles of the marksmanship badge?

If so, I have a theory.

yep, often in brass

 

[REMEwalt]

Good point.

I have put the three medals together.

View attachment 662687

To be honest I don't think that helps either of us!

I agree it looks more like the QSA medal but is there another, faint, stripe down the middle?

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

I agree it looks more like the QSA medal but is there another, faint, stripe down the middle?

It's a result of the photographic process of the time: the nuance between black and red couldn't be made.

 

[_Chimurenga_]

Some theories ...

The buttons may not be black, just appear so in sharp contrast to the tropical uniform.
.
Odds are if he has the QSA Medal, he would perhaps have the KSA Medal as well. So I would guess that his medal is the Indian GSM. Which leads to my next point.
.
He may be part of a technical unit, Royal Engineers or Royal Artillery. Which may explain the small brass shoulder titles. Did regiments still wear numerical shoulder titles after the Cardwell Reforms of 1880s?

 

[Nato12345]

It's a result of the photographic process of the time: the nuance between black and red couldn't be made.

Ah, KRRC Chevrons were black and Red.

 

[FourZeroCharlie]

. . . Odds are if he has the QSA Medal, he would perhaps have the KSA Medal as well. So I would guess that his medal is the Indian GSM. Which leads to my next point. . . .

Not necessarily.

The criteria for the award of the KSA was a touch convoluted:

The King's South Africa Medal 1901 -02 Boer War

Ilustrated; images of edge naming . two clasps issued South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902. Campaign Medal for the Anglo Boer War 1899 - 1902

www.northeastmedals.co.uk

So much so that, if the 18 months service mark wasn't met but other criteria were, the KSA clasps were awarded but appeared on the QSA.

 

[Whiskybreath]

Good point.

I have put the three medals together.

View attachment 662687

To be honest I don't think that helps either of us!

I reckon that's Victoria:

 

[Murphy_Slaw]

All we know for sure so far is the studio that took the photograph opened in 1905, so the photo must be after that.

Can someone who knows about the uniforms answer me this. The tunic has no pockets or belt loops so presumably is either a mess kit or ceromonial. The pith helmet has no cap badge or other markings.

Could he be a steward/orderly or batman?

 

[_Chimurenga_]

The helmet is the 1902 pattern, so that also dates the photograph.
I believe the white uniform was a tropical walking out kit rather than anything ceremonial.

Another view of it ...

 

[Nato12345]

All we know for sure so far is the studio that took the photograph opened in 1905, so the photo must be after that.

Can someone who knows about the uniforms answer me this. The tunic has no pockets or belt loops so presumably is either a mess kit or ceromonial. The pith helmet has no cap badge or other markings.

Could he be a steward/orderly or batman?

No, Batman is usually seen with Robin

 

[Archibald]

Good point.

I have put the three medals together.

View attachment 662687

To be honest I don't think that helps either of us!

I think it does the suspender is the give away


Archie