WWI Austrian and British uniform identification
- Thread starter Rob
- Start date
Missing Something
Regular
The gentleman in the center is a Sergeant. Can tell what unit as I cant see the collar dogs. The gentleman on the right is an officer for sure, how do you figure "General", I cant see any collar tabs and there I cant make out anything on the shoulders and you cant see the sleeves.
Its a family photo. The man in the center is my grandfather, Bill Robinson, an Alberta rancher. He was born in England (his land owning farmer father taught at Cambridge)...I know its a General because that is General Kelly who was his brother-in-law, married to my grandmother's sister (to his right, who in her turn had previously been married to the brother of Captain Oates of Scott's South Pole expedition fame). My grandfather returned to England with his wife and children when war was declared in 1914 and luckily survived to return to the ranch in Alberta when it was over. Thanks for the identification. I guessed as much (3-stripes) but will have to dig out some better, later photos that show him in full uniform. As far as I know, my grandfather never received much formal military training. His top drawer accent and his riding ability were apparently sufficent.
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My grandfather was better known for riding his horse into a local Alberta town hotel bar, for throwing shotgun shells into the pot belly stove to scare visiting "mossbacks" (farmers), and for bringing the bull inside and tying him to the family piano during evening sing-a-long whiskey sessions (because "the bull was lonely")...than he was for calling anybody, "sir".
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The Sgt has a 7 button Canadian tunic. As such I suspect that the photo is circa 1914-1915. Best chance is that he was a member of 50th Bn or 10th Bn. I did not see a William Robinson listed in the 31st Bn roll nor the 3rd, 12th, or 13th CMR. If you have his middle name it would be easier to find him on the databases.
Re the officer, I am also pretty confident that he is not a general officer (at least not yet) based on the uniform.
Re the officer, I am also pretty confident that he is not a general officer (at least not yet) based on the uniform.
Appears you grandfather was Canadian Army Veterinary Corps.
Probably attested with the 187th Central Alberta Battalion before being transferred to the CAVC (at least based on your badges)
I took a look through Cecil French's book A History of the CAVC, there were four Robinson's but only one (RW Robinson) has the initial W showing.
Do you know where he was from when he joined up? The Robert William Robinson I found seems to have attested out of Medicine Hat with 3CMR and shows Territorial Service.
Probably attested with the 187th Central Alberta Battalion before being transferred to the CAVC (at least based on your badges)
I took a look through Cecil French's book A History of the CAVC, there were four Robinson's but only one (RW Robinson) has the initial W showing.
Do you know where he was from when he joined up? The Robert William Robinson I found seems to have attested out of Medicine Hat with 3CMR and shows Territorial Service.
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Try the Library and Archives site and look up Soldiers of the First World War. When I put his full name in the database search it came up with two individuals, one in Ontario and one from Medicine Hat. The two service numbers are 4001533 and 108498.
Be aware that LAC is putting the complete service record of all First War soldiers on line and with that you should be able to find a lot of information on his military career. So far they have posted up to "HUNT" and Robinson will be a while, but it will come up.
Keep us posted, this can be very interesting work.
Be aware that LAC is putting the complete service record of all First War soldiers on line and with that you should be able to find a lot of information on his military career. So far they have posted up to "HUNT" and Robinson will be a while, but it will come up.
Keep us posted, this can be very interesting work.
East of Innisfail lines up with 187th Bn but not sure why he would have attested with 3CMR in March 1915 (Med Hat) then been transferred to 187th Bn (a feeder battalion) , then transferred to Vet Corps. 3CMR was effectively disbanded in France following casualties and re-org in 1915 if memory serves.
#108498 is a likely candidate however not sure this is your grandfather as the service number is not 187th Bn.
#4001533 was a late draft out of Ontario - highly unlikely this is him.
#883219 is William Alexander Robinson. This service number jives with the 187th Bn. No attestation papers are available....but the initial WA do not show with the CAVC
The CAVC book lists 4 Robinsons with initials
F
FE
JA
RW
If you have his medals, check the rim for unit and service number. This will narrow down who he is.
#108498 is a likely candidate however not sure this is your grandfather as the service number is not 187th Bn.
#4001533 was a late draft out of Ontario - highly unlikely this is him.
#883219 is William Alexander Robinson. This service number jives with the 187th Bn. No attestation papers are available....but the initial WA do not show with the CAVC
The CAVC book lists 4 Robinsons with initials
F
FE
JA
RW
If you have his medals, check the rim for unit and service number. This will narrow down who he is.
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I have my great grand fathers uniform from WW1, he was a corporal, all of the badges and insignia is missing, me and by brothers swiped it from dads stuff and traded them for beer when we were younger. The thing that amazes me is how small the pants and jacket are, a lot smaller people back then.
Over on the other side of my family and the other side of that conflict, here is a photo of my grand-uncle Gustaf. According to my father, Gustaf was a military armourer. He was originally from Steyr, Austria and later of Vienna (where his gunsmith father Hermann was employed by Krupp). He is dressed in a uniform of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Can anyone provide details on this uniform?
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