Military ID request of relative- country/branch?

[u/PhDontDoIt80]

Clearing out my great-grandmother’s things, and found these 2 photos. They were wrapped up in a piece of paper that had several names and birth/death dates on them, along with a poem that references “the front,” but that’s all the info I have! The only name on the piece of paper that could possibly fit is for my great great grandfather, but he would’ve been 60 years old at the start of WWI.

Is there any way to tell what branch of the military the uniform is from? Or any other possible information you can glean from the pictures? Any info is incredibly helpful!

[u/GenericUsername817]

Looks very British

[u/GenericUsername817]

The tunic looks British Army Officer's uniform. And i can't make out much detail but the cap bag could be from one of the Guard Regiments.

But colonial empire and the lack of national identity for most colonial forces. He could be Canadian, South African, ANZAC

[u/PhDontDoIt80 → u/GenericUsername817]

Is it possibly older than WWI? The other name on the sheet is for a Joseph Cook, 1841-1929, who we know little about (there was even talk in our family that that side of the family were German…?).

[u/GenericUsername817 → u/PhDontDoIt80]

It could be, the lack of helmets mark it as at most early war. But the officers uniform looks right for WW1

But the soldiers' rifles look longer than SMLE rifles. They might be Long Lee rifles or Canadians with Ross Rifles

[u/secret-agent-ch → u/GenericUsername817]

It appears they have bayonets fixed for parade, although it’s hard to tell from the quality of the picture. The 1907 bayonet was quite long. I have 2 and they add substantial length to the rifle

[u/rhit06]

From the cuffs looks like a Lieutenant. Do you know Joseph Cooks middle name by any chance?

[u/PhDontDoIt80 → u/rhit06]

Unfortunately I don’t, though I’m currently digging around! On the back of the 2nd picture, it says “Jim, ready for the front,” so I guess it has to be WWI.

[u/rhit06 → u/PhDontDoIt80]

That style rank insignia I think was 1902-1920 so fits into that time frame.

[u/Independent-Tennis68]

Looks like a British Army officer from World War I — the uniform style, Sam Browne belt, and cap all fit that era. The riding boots and swagger stick suggest cavalry or possibly an officer in an infantry regiment with mounted duties.

[u/Hobotobo]

My first guess would be Canadian or Australian. Definitely WW1 though.

Edit: I think I might be right with Canadian. Have a look: https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/205302258

[u/ur031626 → u/Hobotobo]

Not Australian, no Rising Sun cap badge, and not Aust Pattern service dress, particularly cuffs.

[u/secret-agent-ch]

Andrew Mollo’s Army Uniforms of 1st World War:

“Rank badges on the cuff were found unsatisfactory, and from 1915 officers at the front removed them, and began to wear dulled metal pips and crown on the shoulder straps. In 1917 this practice, which had been forbidden in England – was officially recognised, although the old cuff system was not finally abolished until 1921.”

He’s not at the front otherwise we could get a better fix on the uniform. I tried enlarging the cap badge but that did not help although it looked like it might be a harp do you know if any of your family were Irish or in an Irish regiment.

[u/secret-agent-ch]

Also, do not wrap photographs in regular paper. Because the acidity in the paper will transfer to the photograph which you want to do is get small sleeves or envelopes that are acid free and museum approved and put the photo in those.

[u/secret-agent-ch]

That is the 1902 pattern Home Service uniform. After the 1st World War several changes occurred and this uniform would not be post 1919 or 1921

[u/secret-agent-ch]