Genealogy Chat

Im having trouble identifying a picture of a GG grandad of mine that may have been in WW1. I have no idea what regiment or rank, etc Can anybody help uncover a bit about this pic?

Thanks x

Have you tried asking elderly relatives or your local branch of British Legion. I had a similiar photo of a great uncle and a distant friend who used to be in the Army helped narrow it down for me, then another friend's husband was in the TA and he named the actual regiment.

Or if you could try googling. Good Luck, Lou

Sophie

WW1 isn't my area of military expertise - I can do earlier. But try http://www.1914-1918.net/

there's a forum (menu on the right) where you can register and then post pictures.

Also have you looked for his Medal Index card - if he did servie in WW1 he may have been awarded some medals. His would give his regiment and rank.

Whats was his name, his date and place of birth?

MB

MB

Thats what Im trying to find out. All i know is, that he was a grandad of my G Grandmother....she neva said which side he was from..mothers or fathers....would have been from Wales or Hereford. There arnt alot of family members alive that would know nethin else about this picture....neither do i have his medal card....all i have is this picture...

sophie

Have you tried National Archives site for medal records cards? If you search for his name this will give you details if he served in WW1.You can order record card for £3.50.
Or if interested in current issue of 'Family tree Magazine' Feb 2008 issue,page 42 there is article on British Army and an offer of a poster of Regimental Cap badges of the British Army (pre 1920).Size A3.Cost £1.50 plus postage.Go to www.familyhistorybookshop.co.uk

Is there a cap badge visible...if so identifying would be fairly straightforward, I will have a look at it if you want..Col

Sophie

The cap badge isn't that clear - however, from what he's wearing he's involved in horses, he's wearing jodhpurs, spurs, riding crop - so possibly the Artillery or Cavalry.

Do you know your grandmothers name and or her parents – perhaps if you post the names and dates/details you know – people on these boards love a challenge – you never know they may be able to narrow it down for you.
But without a name it’s going to be near on impossible to identify him.

MB

Well My Gran said it could be either grandad.....

William Watkins b. 1868 Clifford, hereford area married Sarah Brooks 1896 Pontypridd, Wales

or

William Henry Davies...details unknown

Wil D had a son callled William Henry Davies and Wil W had a daughter called Gertrude Watkins that married in 1916 in Pontypridd....both fathers were put down as Colliers...

Thats all i know...not reli much to go on...and it would be im possible to get a medal card without the right name...plus both names have well known surnames..so theres likely to be loads........sigh

Sophie

is this William & Sarah Watkins in the 1901 Census

Name: William Watkins
Age in 1901: 36
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah J
Gender: Male
Where born: Hereford, Herefordshire, England

Civil Parish: Tredegar
Ecclesiastical parish: Tredegar St George
Town: Tredegar
County/Island: Monmouthshire
Country: Wales

Street address: View Image
Condition as to marriage: View Image
Education: View Image
Employment status: View Image
Occupation: View Image

Registration district: Bedwellty
Sub-registration district: Tredegar
ED, institution, or vessel: 5
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 102
Household Members: Name Age
George H Watkins 1 month
Phoebe Watkins 4
Sarah J Watkins 37
William Watkins 36
William J Watkins 6

Source Citation: Class: RG13; Piece: 4937; Folio: 83; Page: 17.

MB

No, this is The Watkins side in 1901

Williams Occupation was Stoker at Gasworks (woteva that is)

Name: William Watkinson
Age in 1901: 32
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1869
Relation: Head
Spouse's Name: Sarah J
Gender: Male
Where born: Clifford, Herefordshire, England

Civil Parish: Hay
Ecclesiastical parish: Hay St Mary
Town: Hay
County/Island: Breconshire
Country: Wales

Street address: View Image
Condition as to marriage: View Image
Education: View Image
Employment status: View Image
Occupation: View Image

Registration district: Hay
Sub-registration district: Hay
ED, institution, or vessel: 2
Neighbors: View others on page
Household schedule number: 109
Household Members: Name Age
Ausel Brooks 9
George Brooks 13
Thomas Brooks 11
Edgar Watkins 3
Gertrude Watkins 1
Rose Watkins 5
Sarah J Watkins 31
William Watkins 32

...

Yes sorry I just changed it because i didnt want to confuse people....their names are Watkins..

Sori x

Sophie

There are 343 William Watkins on the TNA Medal Index Cards.

Do you know if he had a middle or other names?

There are only 17 William Henry Davies listed in the Medal Index Cards

Just bear in mind that both these men (assuming William D was born around the same time as William W) would have been at the upper end of the age range for service in WW1 - William D would have been aged 45ish in 1914.

One other thing - did they both servive WW1?

Well on Census's and birth records i dont think William Watkins had a middle name. and i agree that both of them would ahve been at the upper age.....and its definetly WW1.

x

Sophie

I think your only hope is that someone can pin point the regiment and then its elimination.

Did you take Colin up on his offer?

Do you have any other photos of either man which you could compare?
MB

Maybe you right Mb; well...ill just ahve to do some more digging around.....thank you for your help anywaz; much appreciated.

Thanks x

Sophie

I have a very clever mate who has helped me and people on here before with regiments and uniforms. If you like, you can pm me with a photo and I will get him to have a look?

Regards

Shirley

Sophie

I've just heard back from a friend of mine who's in the Artillery and he says
"That's a WW1 Driver from the RHA or RFA, the spurs are right"

RHA = Royal Horse Artillery
RFA = Royal Field Artillery

He did comment that unfortunately the picture had been 'coloured' as they did in those days and the yellow paint over the cap badge has obscured it some what, but he's sure it's Artillery either RHA or RFA.

So that narrows down the search.

Do you know if either of the William's had any experience of horses - as they would be a significant part of their job?

MB

Not that i know of; i dont reli know much about them, neither do my living rellies...

But the info you've given does make sense; trolling thru old war pics of the internet...it does look like he would have been in sumthing to do with the RHA or RFA...plus he has that riding crop so he must have rode horses rite?......lol

Soph x

Sophie, have you checked out the WW1 Pensions on Ancestry?

Was the photo taken in a studio, if so is there a name or date on the back?

M. Steer