This is my grandfather. Although he served in and survived The Great War, he died 3 years before I was born. He was 55.
I'm not entirely sure of his service history. His uniform shows he most likely belonged to the Royal Highland Regiment. I'm also fairly certain he hadn't immigrated to Canada until after the war so he was probably part of the Scottish army. He would have only been 18 years old if he was truthful about his age.
If anyone is a history buff and would care to share, I would sincerely appreciate it.
WE SHALL NOT SLEEP, THOUGH POPPIES GROW
IN FLANDERS FIELDS.
JOHN MCCRAE, MAY 1915
November 11th
~Deborah
Very cool! A riveting piece of history. Glad to know he made it through.
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I showed my husband the picture and asked what he could tell me about it. He said definitely World War I, based from your grandfather's belt. Then he said, probably a Scottish Highlands regiment...or British, Welsh, Irish, Canadian... or Australian, after which I told him to shut it. LOL
So, armed with that, I began looking at uniforms, which are very similar in style among them all. The difference being the cap, which, based on the checkers, appears to be Scottish Highlands. Here's the link I found with men in similar uniforms
And based on the checkers of his cap, it looks like he was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, possibly Infantry Division, and from the lack of medals, badges and chevrons, I'm guessing he was a Private when this picture was taken. Close up of a similar cap
Here is a link of the Argyll and Sutherland unit history where his name may be in the search records if he is actually in this unit. How cool would that be?
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Thank you so much!!! I searched all the uniforms too and found some that were similar or the same "ish". The difference was in the SOCKS!!! LOL.....(and no pouch, purse, sporran in front of the kilt) I found the hat but couldn't decide if it was Canadian army or Scottish....I knew the plaid kilt was black watch - my school uniform - the records search unfortunately costs $$ - booo.....so that's why I feel lost a wee bit. There isn't any family around to ask. Maybe I should go on that tv show? Who Do You Think You Are?? I love that one. Thanks again for being so helpful and give hubby some tea for his hard work too. :) Hope you're feeling better as well.
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I'm feeling a lot better. Thanks! I love going on scavenger hunts like this. It appeals to the geeky researcher in me. ha! Hopefully the links are helpful. If he actually was in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlands, you may be able to contact the veteran's office...which will probably lead you to the archives department - but it's a good start. :)
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I just might have to do things the old fashioned way....phone calls? letters? Do I even remember how to write? I'm a huge geek that way too - I always say I'd make a great detective...I always find the answer. Thanks again!
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so many people sacrificed so much in that Great War...my relatives too
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Nice post.
This time of year I always wonder if our grandfathers would be proud of what the west turned in to since the war finished.
I'm 90% certain most of them, if they were still alive as it was a long time a go, would be pretty pissed.
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Probably. I think a lot of people have lost their moral compass.
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I'm so sorry for your loss... My life is unimaginable without the presence of my grandpa on my mom's side... He was a major influence on my life for sure, and I am saddened for those who didn't have a grandpa to love them.
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Your words mean so much to me. You are the first person in my life to even acknowledge this loss. It brought tears to my eyes. Thank you.
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You are so very welcome, Dear.
My grandfather profoundly influenced me. As a grandfather now myself, memories of the time he spent with me, toys he helped me make, and many other things have served to guide me to become, I hope, a good grandfather to my own grandchildren.
I have long been convinced that God puts us in families and gives us family relationships as a means of helping us better understand how much He loves us. ;)
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