Name, rank and serial number?.....

[ladybird]

Hi Davie
I have a feeling that Mum's memory is out on this one.

Yes there was an Auntie Dolly who joined the Tiller Girls dance Troup, but I think she may have been Catherine Townsend born c1889. Dorothy is just not one of our family names.

I know that the other sister Francesca Helen (Fanny) went into service and was at one time a lady's maid to the Russian Princess Dolgaruki at Braemar Castle. Another snippet to be proved but we do have several finger bowls which were given to her.
Gosh this is an interesting family!!!

I will willing buy you those Steinlagers, if I make it to Nelson, I'll also bring the original of the discharge paper I sent you. It's all hanging in the balance at the moment whether I can go or not though. My hubby is waiting for a course of radiation treatment, so depending on the dates and outcome I'll be there with bells on.

Sylvia

[DavidWW]

Sylvia

My military mate is near certain that the uniform is the HLI, - Highland Light Infantry, - which would be one of a couple of "local" regiments for Motherwell. (The other was the Cameronians.)

He's not yet certain of the rank, except that the uniform is that of an officer; and will revert on that.

Davie

[ladybird]

Thanks Davie, one step closer
Sylvia

[DavidWW]

Crunch, crunch - the sound of a expert military researcher eating his hat, as he promised to do if he was wrong.

Hi magic large magnifying glass produced the info that the badges are those of the Seaforths, and the picture is of a ranker, not an officer.

Sylvia might like to post the summary of his fascinating military career and biography, including service in one unusual theatre of war in or after WWI, - the theatre where the story goes that several soldiers/sailors complained bitterly about the quality of the jam as it tasted strongly of fish, - they didn't realise what they were eating and very probably hadn't ever encountered caviare before in their life

Davie

[ladybird]

Ok Davie here goes.
Must say too that Cavier is something of a rarity to us plebs!

This is all great stuff, seems that Francis never really got the "Traveller" blood out of his veins...he came from a long line of Master Tinsmiths.
thank you, thank you, thank you,
I'll keep you posted, Sylvia

Davie
Well Francis Townsend wasn't in the HLI & wasn't an officer when the photo
was taken so humble pie for me.
HOWEVER: He was in the Seaforth Highlanders for a period (you can see their
badge on his left collar when you get a decent glass to it. This made it a
lot easier to place him &, if your clients are interested, there is quite a
thick file on him as he went on to become an officer in the Labour Corps &
even served with the Black Sea army in 1919. He also appears to have a
medal ribbon on his chest that I can't identify.
V brief resume of career (not much time to take notes): b 1890, mother
>was Sarah, no mention of father, will left property to 2 sisters in
London. At one point file says married & another says widower. Educated
Howarth Rd School Dublin then Merchant Taylors Dublin, apprenticeship at
sea. Prospector in South Africa 1909-12, joined SA Mounted Police, served
Aug 14 to Nov 15 in German SW Africa with SA Mounted Rifles. England 1916
and joined London Irish Rifles, gassed 28/6/16 at Gallonne. Home. Joined
2/4th Seaforths for Home Service (presumably unfit for active service after
gas), commissioned to Labour Corps 1917, Black Sea army Oct 19 - March 20
when sent home with gastritis and returned to SA. The file is packed with
enlistment papers, medical records, service records, disciplinary papers,
copy of his will, a letter, lots of army bumph etc.