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enter image description hereI have this photograph of my grandfather in uniform - taken in Seaford, Sussex, England, some time after 1914. Can anyone tell me anything about this uniform? He eventually joined 525 coy. 62nd Division of the Army Service Corps. Thanks

grandfather in uniform

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  • Was he a horseman?
    – kimchi lover
    Aug 17, 2019 at 16:35
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    Yes, I have another picture of him mounted on horseback. He was a 2nd. Lt. in charge of the wagon trains that supplied the front line on the Somme in 1917-18.
    – DavidSC
    Aug 17, 2019 at 19:23
  • I think I can make out his rank badge on his epaulettes: one pip, consistent with being 2nd lieutenant. His pose, with riding crop and britches, projects self-confidence in his specialty, and importance. The aiguillette on his shoulder presumably indicates something good about his job but I don't know enough to say what, precisely.
    – kimchi lover
    Aug 18, 2019 at 0:48
  • It might help if you uploaded the other picture (unless he's wearing a different uniform in it). There may be other visual clues aside from the uniform itself which could prove helpful.
    – Lars Bosteen
    Aug 18, 2019 at 3:01
  • @kimchilover He does not appear to be wearing an officer's uniform who tended to have lapels on their jackets. I suspect the pips you're seeing are the Royal Service Corps badge or similar. Officers in this period wore their rank on their lower sleeves. The riding crop and breeches are typical for all members of units that used horses. The pose is typical for the time and has nothing to do with rank. The lanyard appears to be common too amongst all ranks though I don't know what it signifies. It might represent a minimum time in the service for instance.
    – Daniel
    Aug 18, 2019 at 3:58

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Your Grandfather in the first photo is wearing the khaki service dress for officers of the army which included a lapel-led tunic introduced in 1908 with a shirt and tie which became khaki like the tunic from amendments of the 1st of August 1913 he also wears the standard Sam Browne belt issued to all officers from 1900 onwards. The second photo of him shows him to wear the 1902 pattern service dress introduced to lower ranks (not officers).

Uniform for Officers updated by the 1913 Amendments. enter image description here 1902 Pattern service dress enter image description here

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    Thank you so much for your reply. It is most helpful in dating the two photographs - the lower one is probably taken at the time he joined up, and the one above after he was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. Many thanks, David
    – DavidSC
    Jul 6, 2020 at 16:21
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    No problem i saw that you were struggling so I decided to help even though you knew about his service i thought you might find it interesting to add information about the uniforms themselves.
    – Guepe
    Jul 7, 2020 at 9:55

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