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WW1 uniform identification?

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Paul Rose

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Hi All

I recently obtained an old photo from my mother showing her uncle (Ernest Cooper Smith) in uniform. We know very little about him at the moment apart from its possible he was killed in WW1.

I have attached the photo below and wondered if anyone recognises the uniform/regiment/rank (Army?)? Even if someone could advise if its a WW1 or WW2 uniform would be a start. It looks like his hat is on a table next to him but I cant recognise the cap badge. I'm hoping the quality of the image is not reduced too much.

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Regards, Paul Rose
 

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emeltee

emeltee

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Do you know where he was born?

I can find details on 2 Ernest Cooper Smiths, one born c 1886 Middlesborough and one born 1899 Ashdon Essex. Could either of these be him?

Emeltee
 
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Paul Rose

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emeltee said:
Do you know where he was born?

I can find details on 2 Ernest Cooper Smiths, one born c 1886 Middlesborough and one born 1899 Ashdon Essex. Could either of these be him?

Emeltee
Click to expand...
Thank you for your reply.

The Middlesbrough one sounds interesting. He had a sister called Mary Ann Smith who was possibly born c1897 and I believe their parents were John Smith and Harriet Knight but not 100% on that.

Regards, Paul
 
emeltee

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Ernest Cooper Smith was a Private in the 1st Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers, Soldier No. 8713. Born Middlesborough, he was killed 8 November 1914 aged 28. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. See CWGC site.

I have found him in 1891

RG12/4013/F51/p2
Raby Street, Linthorpe, Middlesborough

John Smith 29 General Labourer Sunderland, Durham
Harriet Smith wife 26 Black Ball, Staffs
Rose Hannah dau 6 Middlesborough
Ernest Cooper son 4 Middlesborough
John William son 2 Middlesborough
Jane Ann dau 1 Middlesborough.

That's all I have found so far. He was awarded a medal but I don't know what it was. Details of his medal card are on the TNA site.

Emeltee
 
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Paul Rose

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Wow, that's amazing. Thank you so much for taking the time to look up that information for me. I'm so grateful. I really hope this is our Ernest Cooper. I don't have any information with regard to his siblings. Was the maiden name listed at all for Harriet? If I can get someone to identify the uniform in the photo as being that of The Northumberland Fusiliers then that would be great.

Again, thank you so much for your help. Can't wait to call my mother tonight with an update.

Regards, Paul
 
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trace

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Mothers maiden name for Ernest Cooper SMITH b1886 Middlesbro' is KNIGHT

Rose Anna 1885
John William 1889 (1st qtr which could mean born late 1888 )
Jane Ann 1889 (Dec qtr)

all registered in Middlesbrough Registration District and mother maiden name all KNIGHT.

EDIT
Also William b1883
 
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emeltee

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Marriage

John Smith/Harriet Knight Dec 1882 Middlesborough 9d 1018

Birth

Mary Ann Mar 1897 Middlesborough 9d 584 mmn Knight.

Death

Harriet Smith age 34 Jun 1899 Middlesborough 9d 331

John is a widower in the 1801 Census

Emeltee
 
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gibbo

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emeltee said:
Ernest Cooper Smith was a Private in the 1st Battalion The Northumberland Fusiliers, Soldier No. 8713. Born Middlesborough, he was killed 8 November 1914 aged 28. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres. See CWGC site.
Click to expand...

Rank:private
Service No:8713
Date of Death:08/11/1914
Age:28
Regiment/Service:Northumberland Fusiliers 1st Bn.
Panel Reference: Panel 8 and 12.
Memorial:YPRES (MENIN GATE)
MEMORIAL Additional Information:Husband of Lilian Mary Smith, of 10, Burrowlee Rd., Owlerton, Sheffield
 
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gibbo

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On the right side of the photo, near his elbow, there appears to be something written but i cant quiet work out what it is.

Does the photo have any stamps or markings on the back of it?
 
emeltee

emeltee

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In the 1911 Census he is in Tanshelf, Pontefract, already in the Army

RG14PN27486

Ernest Cooper Smith pte. 24 Single Northumberland Fusiliers Middlesboro'

I can't see a definite marriage for him between 1911 and his death in 1914

Emeltee
 
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Paul Rose

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emeltee said:
Marriage

John Smith/Harriet Knight Dec 1882 Middlesborough 9d 1018

Birth

Mary Ann Mar 1897 Middlesborough 9d 584 mmn Knight.

Death

Harriet Smith age 34 Jun 1899 Middlesborough 9d 331

John is a widower in the 1801 Census

Emeltee
Click to expand...
Speaking to my mother tonight she mentioned that Harriet died and that John remarried so that seems to match. So young though! Could I just query the 1801 census date, should that be John is a widower in the 1901 census rather than 1801? Thanks,

Regards, Paul
 
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Paul Rose

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gibbo said:
On the right side of the photo, near his elbow, there appears to be something written but i cant quiet work out what it is.

Does the photo have any stamps or markings on the back of it?
Click to expand...
I'm not able to read it, either unfortunately. It's a postcard / photo and the only text on the back is the name of the photographer. I'll see if I can post an image of it.

Regards, Paul
 
DaveHam9

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Paul Rose

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DaveHam9 said:
Cap badge.

http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30075993

http://www.britishmilitarybadges.co.uk/Products/northumberland-fusiliers-regiment-cap-badge-16.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Northumberland_Fusiliers

Belt buckle the first two images

https://au.pinterest.com/pin/357402920411759788/


I can't tell if it matches looking at the belt buckle in the photo.

Dave
Click to expand...
Excellent links, Dave. Thank you. The cap badge certainly looks the same. I can't get the link to the buckle to load on my phone. I'll check on the PC in the morning.

Regards, Paul
 
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Paul Rose

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gibbo said:
Not sure if you have seen this or not.

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=704650.0
Click to expand...
Oh my word! That is amazing. How on earth did you find that? I couldn't believe what I was reading at first. I thought someone was winding me up! To think he had a job lined up upon leaving the army but then decided to rejoin is tragic. I certainly now need to try and make contact with the author.

Thank you so much for the link and thanks everyone for all your help. I had no idea I would receive so much helpful advice. What a great bunch of people. Thank you.

Regards, Paul
 
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