Can You help identify my Great Gran-fathers Regiment?

[barry73]

Hi everyone this is my first post. This is my great granfather William John Young. Can anyone tell me which approx year this picture is from and what regiment? I think the pith helmet badge is from the Wilshire regiment? Does the leopard skin on the floor give a clue. If he is indeed in the Wiltshire regiment, where and how can I get his service information. His son (Gilbert Ernest Young) was in the Wiltshire reg. and died during operation market garden ww2. Thankyou all any help no matter how small is very welcome. album_pic.php?pic_id=384

[harry hackedoff]

Puttees and socks
There`s keen for you
I wouldn`t have a scoobs mate. Late eighteen ninetys-ish I would guess
Good luck with your search though

[Shoulderholster]

Barry
Its a bog standard studio portrait so the leopard skin is just decor and not pertinent to the regiment.
I had a look through some of my books,as luck would have i there is a photo of the CO of the 1/4th Wiltshire Regt with an identical puggaree band badge (pattee) as in your photo.This photo was taken in 1915 in India.
First thoughts when I saw the photo was either KRRC or Wilts Regt WW1, Egypt or Gallipoli,a Btn of the Wilts Regt fought at Gallipoli so it could be from that campaign.
A quick look at the cwgc.org site (you have probably looked at this) says your G Grandfather was living in Middlesex when his son was killed in Holland,so whether he joined the Wilts due to family ties or was a replacement after the Wilts Regt heavy casualties at Hill 112 in Normandy we will never know.
It might be worth sending a copy of that photo via E mail to the curator of the Wilts Regt museum at curator@thewardrobe.org.uk
Time frame for the photo WW1 to late 20s.
Hope that fills in some gaps.

SH

[Tab]

I think the best way to try and trace this person is through the flash on his Pith Helmet

[PoliSci]

Looks strangely like an iron cross? Are you sure he was fighting on our side?

[barry73]

Thanks all for your help so far. I've sent off a letter to the "wardrobe" wiltshire regiment salisbury. Fingers crossed I get some information. Has any one seen any web links of simalar badges? William John Young was born in Winford , Somerset in 1886 and has a long line back, so I'm sure it's not a iron cross. Well I hope not I'd say he enlisted about 1903 onwards.
Thanks Again,
Barry

[barry73]

:multi: Good news on my research about my gradfather. I now know that his number was 202381 private William John Young - 2nd/4th Battalion, The Wiltshire Regiment. His battalion went to India as part of the 43rd wessex infantry division and spent the term of the 1st world war in Delhi as Garrison and guard the Viceroy.

But - as things do, it has just given me more questions i) why is there no information (service papers) for Territorial forces ii) He has two regimental numbers, the other being 4690 - why? iii) Is there any information about soldiers,life or anything concern India? Thanks again for your help,
Best Regards,
Barry

[Tab]

Dear Barry

The reason he has two numbers is that he must have left the Army and then rejoined at a later date. I have traced an Uncle of mine who Joined the the Royal Sussex Regiment and rejoined five times and got five different numbers, and I have got his enlistment papers to prove it.