Hello everyone, I am helping a new DNA match (to me) with his family tree. He has a photo of his grandfather in uniform but he doesn't know who he served with. I have the following details: William John Welsh BIRTH 1904 • Kirkpatrick Fleming, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. DEATH 21 JAN 1950 • 142 Glasgow Street, Dumfries, Scotland. I have a full subscription to Ancestry but there are so many entries that I have no clue as to which one he is. There is a family story about him being involved with the bomb squad, buts it's just a family story which may be mistaken. He also lived in Annan, Dumfriesshire and was married to Janet Boyes Wilson on the 1st of October 1926 in Dumfries. His parents were Joseph Welsh, born in Newtownards, County Down, Northern Ireland and Janet Carruthers born in Kirkpatrick Fleming Dumfriesshire Scotland. Thank you in advance for even the smallest clue...
Possibly this guy, attested 1939. given his age he may have been extracted to the National Service Reserve Wing. Cannot be sure it is him.
Ah intersting, thank you. I have advised him to apply for his war records, but just thought we could get a heads up during the long wait to get them.
Re Posting #1 Whilst the subject wears an RA Badge on a side cap what type of Battle dress is that? He is not wearing a white lanyard but the cap badge is an "Other Rank" i.e. not an Officer. There appears o be a badge or attachment on his right breast pocket that is coloured over. Possibly a pilots wings. An Air Observer maybe. There is no insignia of rank or unit on the epaulettes The photo is colourised, possibly hand painted. I have never personally seen this in a UK photo only abroad and usually in India. Was the subject on pre war colonial duties.
If that is him here is his tracer card, the mention of "DESERTER" in red could be an interesting (if sensitive) side to the story
I don't think there is anything much to be gleaned from the uniform - standard Battledress Serge or 37 Pattern which was the standard pattern in production from 1937/8 to 1942 but issued all through the war, probably not that common in RA units til about 1940 but it varied a lot. FS cap kind of reduced in use about 1943 but was still seen - if I was pushed I'd say the image is 1940-43 period but could easily be later . I don't think he has any insignia above his pocket I think its just reflection on the photo. Colourised seems to be fairly common in the Middle East and UK so again its hard to take anything from that - what I would say is that as well as colour, the details of the pockets, front fly and collar all look to have been "touched up".
Oh the mention of "deserter" certainly adds a sensitive element to this. Thanks for all of your help.