alliekiwi Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 As you can see, I'm good at questions and not so good at answers. Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 On another note, and iam noexpert on the Labour Corps, but could Sam have been moved to the 22nd Battalion West Yorks and then to the Labour Corps in May 1917 when the 22nd where made into the 18 and 19th Labour Companies?, just athought. Maybe the Labour experts can help with that one. My own research into the West Yorks and the numbers around 30192 where in the 22nd Batt and moved to the Labour corps. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Jon Will have to have acloser look for this oldmans eye's. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil5856 Posted 14 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2008 The woman standing was Germaine Belette, who was Sam's 'wife', and my friend's wife's grandmother. The woman seated directly in front of her was her mother. the photograph was taken in Frevent, probably by a travelling photographer. My guess is that it's a family group. Eva (Sam's granddaughter) has no idea. I would therefore guess that the woman seated left was her sister, and the man standing left was her brother. I would assume that the child was immediate family, possibly the daughter of the woman seated left - perhaps she had lost her husband in the war. Thus, both sisters were paired off with British soldiers. (Strangely enough, my wife is descended from an extra-marital liaison with a British soldier - the family think Irish or Scottish, because red hair was introduced into the family - be interesting to know who was stationed where and when to try to trace that one back!) Anyway, it's purely conjecture, but it's a possibility. Neil Kevin, That's very kind. Thank you very much. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Neil, is there any chance of a closer look at the other soldiers cap badge? Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ivor Lee Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Kevin was spot on. His Labour Corps number confirms he was one of the original members of 18 Company which was formed from the 22nd West Yorks. Ivor Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alliekiwi Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Ivor, do you know what the cap badge was for the 18th Company of the Labour Corps? Does it match the one pictured? This is all fitting together nicely. Allie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil5856 Posted 14 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Good idea. At first, I didn't think it was the same badge, but now, I can see the similarities!! Any idea where they served?? Thanks Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Not a 100% sure of the Labour Corps cap badge, I know it was a crossed rifle and pick but when it was first used I don't know. The 22nd (Labour) Bn West Yorks would have worn the prancing horse cap badge of the West Yorks. I am sure that neither appear on the caps in the photo. The second badge looks to have the same shape as Sam's but sadly it's not the best pic to be a 100% sure but I think we may be looking at 2 Leeds Pals, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Not a 100% sure of the Labour Corps cap badge, I know it was a crossed rifle and pick but when it was first used I don't know. The 22nd (Labour) Bn West Yorks would have worn the prancing horse cap badge of the West Yorks. I am sure that neither appear on the caps in the photo. The second badge looks to have the same shape as Sam's but sadly it's not the best pic to be a 100% sure but I think we may be looking at 2 Leeds Pals, Jon The Labour Corps badge was adopted in 1917 and without wishing to split hairs the badge of the West Yorks was very much a flat out 'galloping' horse which distinguished if from the King's Liverpool Regt over the border in Lancashire, who did indeed have a badge of a 'prancing' horse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 No split hairs here Frogsmile indeed galloping would have been better terminology on my part and would I be right in thinking that it is the white horse of Hanover on the West Yorks badge? Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 The Sam Spencer on the MIC is 100% 22nd Battalion, are we sure that the Sam Spencer in the photo is the same as the Sam Spencer on the MIC? Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FROGSMILE Posted 14 June , 2008 Share Posted 14 June , 2008 Neil, is there any chance of a closer look at the other soldiers cap badge? Jon Yes, it is the White Horse of Hanover, see enclosure although the image is reversed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neil5856 Posted 15 June , 2008 Author Share Posted 15 June , 2008 No doubt about it. This is the Sam Spencer who hitched up with a French girl, and set up a family with her in Frevent (the grandmother of my friend's wife). The photo was taken in Frevent. Neil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin Posted 15 June , 2008 Share Posted 15 June , 2008 Neil So Sam Spencer 30192 was in the 22nd Battalion West Yorkshire Regt before moving on to the Labour Corps in May 1917 with the New number 10637. The 30192 West Yorks number would have been issused early 1916, and alot of the men around this number where Transferred from the York and Lancaster's, but only Sam's service record would confirm this. He may well have had previous service in another West Yorks Battalion, but again only the service record would confirm it. Regards Kevin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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