mcfc1923 Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 I recently purchased a group photo postcard of officers & N.C.O. The only info that i have is what is written on the back of the card in pencil which says-''MANCHESTERS 1919''. With the aid of my trusty old magnifying glass, i noticed the 4th man from the right on the front row, with large insignia on his cuff is wearing a Fleur-de-lys cap badge, i think, though it's not clear from the photo, that the 3 men to his right are wearing the same badge. Does this mean that they are the officers, while all the others in the group are N.C.O.? And now pals, a fine example of how ignorent i really am. What exactly is an N.C.O. and what is their role? and any info on who this group of Manchesters are, would be much appreciated. cheers pals jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Jim Can you scan and post the piccie. 1919? Sounds as though it could be a final Company de-mob shot. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfc1923 Posted 17 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Jim Can you scan and post the piccie. 1919? Sounds as though it could be a final Company de-mob shot. John JOHN, not very clear i'm afraid, will have to try and get a close up done later today, my neice is the expert when it comes to the digi camera. jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Jim The old eyes ain't wot they were. But I think I see four officers seated at the front. I think I can make out some of the men are wearing a medal on their left side(there seems to be something shiny), so could have been a presentation ceremony. But I'm sticking with my orginal idea that this it's a pre-demob shot of a Company's officers and NCOs. Anything on the postcard about photgraphers name or address? John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 I managed to blow it up a bit, but the quality suffers and I can't make any detail out. A closer shot might make it easier. Fleur de Lys? South Lancs alarm bells! Officers could come from different regiments, and the 4th man frm the right at the front could be a SLR officer. Cheers, S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harribobs Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 the 7th Battalion Manchesters wore a floriated fleur de lys cap badge (pic from my collection) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kate Wills Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Chris Do you mean that the 7th wore a fleur-de-lys badge in addition to the tramway-style Manchesters badge? Do you know if the 6th wore any special insignia too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROONAERT Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Do you mean that the 7th wore a fleur-de-lys badge in addition to the tramway-style Manchesters badge? Do you know if the 6th wore any special insignia too? Kate. Not in addition to. The 7th Bn (and as they were formally known - the 4th Volunteer Battalion) wore the Florinated Fleur de Lys instead of the "bus conductor" badge (though I suppose it is possible to encounter later war photos of 7/Mancs soldiers wearing the standard badge as supplies lessened). The 6th wore the standard badge (though pre-1908 would have worn the "2VB" badge) and could only really be difrentiated from other Manc bns by the shoulder titles. Dave. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harribobs Posted 17 November , 2004 Share Posted 17 November , 2004 Chris Do you mean that the 7th wore a fleur-de-lys badge in addition to the tramway-style Manchesters badge? Do you know if the 6th wore any special insignia too? Kate Dave has beaten me to it! ( as usual) but I have a 2nd VB badge for you to have a look at I wonder about the standard badge being called a tram conductors badge, I read somewhere that the blue uniforms issued prior to the proper uniforms were the same colour as the tram conductors, and as the pals were billeted at home until he camps at heaton park were built and had to travel in on the trams hence that's why the uniforms were disliked, rather than the badge, any thoughts? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfc1923 Posted 18 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 18 November , 2004 Jim The old eyes ain't wot they were. But I think I see four officers seated at the front. I think I can make out some of the men are wearing a medal on their left side(there seems to be something shiny), so could have been a presentation ceremony. But I'm sticking with my orginal idea that this it's a pre-demob shot of a Company's officers and NCOs. Anything on the postcard about photgraphers name or address? John John afraid thers nowt on the back of the card. had a closer look again with eye glass, and can see the medal bar but it's difficult to see any medals. But i think i would have to go with you on this one John that it's a pre- demob shot. STE Just wonder if it's worth a close up shot, would i gain any more info? So the bottom line is a 1919 pre-demob photo postcard of Manchesters, just to clarify, the men in the photo came together from different regiments for a group photo?(or am i way off the mark) What exactly was the role of a ww1 NCO? Chris, seen those badges a good few times on your web site, and if you ever decide to start collecting souls, then i would be more than happy to sell you mine for those badges. cheers pals much appreciated believe me. jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 18 November , 2004 Share Posted 18 November , 2004 Jim If others with better eyes are saying that there's more than one battalion represented in the shot, then I don't see how I can be right about it being a demob group. In which case, I give up. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ste Posted 18 November , 2004 Share Posted 18 November , 2004 STE Just wonder if it's worth a close up shot, would i gain any more info? Well my suggestion about the South Lancs isn't a goer, as shown by the most helpful posts from others about the Fleur de Lys and the 7th Manchesters. It can't do any harm to have a bigger pic though, someone here may be able to pick out a clue we can't see on the current one. Cheers, S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfc1923 Posted 18 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 18 November , 2004 Jim If others with better eyes are saying that there's more than one battalion represented in the shot, then I don't see how I can be right about it being a demob group. In which case, I give up. John John When you say another Battalion, are we talking about other than Manchester? (or do i sound as if i'm talking town halls?) if so then I see your point because if ther were more than one battalion represented, that was not Manchester, would that not be evident in the badges worn by some of the NCOs?. I can't see it being anything other than a demob group. cheers John jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 18 November , 2004 Share Posted 18 November , 2004 Jim I thought the eagle-eyed amongst us had spotted that only some were wearing the Fleurs de Lys. If that'sthe case then some are 7th Battalion and some are not. B***ers up my fine theory, quite nicely. Unless it's a mixed demob group of, say, Manc Territorials who had been with the Bns since 1914. Or something like that. I'm going to stop guessing now. Just enjoy the piccie, mate. John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfc1923 Posted 18 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 18 November , 2004 John I knew i should have stuck to collecting used match sticks cheers John STE just waiting for a reply from harribobs, to see if he would be willing to take a close up of the card if i send it to him so he can stick it on the forum. But whatever you do, don't let john know, anymore about this postcard and he may have a breakdown cheers pals jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harribobs Posted 19 November , 2004 Share Posted 19 November , 2004 Jim and t'others I'll scan and post the card as soon as Jim gets it to me but in the meantime here's another example of a 7th badge being worn (on ebay ) Ebay item no bidding on it please! note who's the high bidder Jim re:- Chris, seen those badges a good few times on your web site, and if you ever decide to start collecting souls, then i would be more than happy to sell you mine for those badges. you know you've sold it already in that play off game against Gillingham (mine went in 1999 in spain ) cheers chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcfc1923 Posted 19 November , 2004 Author Share Posted 19 November , 2004 chris Highest bidder noticed, and item erased from my snipe list jim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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