Uniform Identification

[debdavies]

Is anyone able to help with Identifying this uniform. The picture was emailed to me by someone I met on a family history site so I do not have the original. It is believed to be of my great grandad who served in the second Boer War. He has been my brick wall for years now, so this could be a major breakthrough!
I am also curious about the helmet to his left, is it likely to be a photo prop or would it have belonged to him?
All suggestions appreciated.
Thanks
Deb

[Mutley]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

At the moment we cannot see the picture. If you are having difficulty uploading it then this thread may help you.

[debdavies]

[Coromandel]

I can't help with the uniform so have been focusing on the photographer instead.

Googling to try to fill in the missing bits in the bottom corners suggests that the photographer was
W.H. Franklin, 3 & 9 High Street, Deal.

There's another photo by him here with a similar caption:

http://www.
flickr.com/photos/stendec2008/4917208236/

Trades directories and/or old newspapers might narrow down the date when he was operating from those addresses.

[debdavies]

Thank you Coromandel, thats helpful will look into it.

[Coromandel]

An earlier photo by W.H.Franklin, dated around 1889, has him at 3 High St & Victoria Rd:

http://www.
flickr.com/photos/22124479@N03/5954651605/

Interestingly the uniform, looks quite similar to the one in Deb's photo and is identified as being that of the Royal Marines Light Infantry. I've no idea how to spot a marine though.

[debdavies]

Thanks, will look at that now.

[debdavies]

Marines never entered my mind, I assumed Army, but that does look similar. Thanks.

[Coromandel]

In case it is your great-grandfather and he was in the Marines, you could try searching the database here:

http://www.
nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/royal-marines-register-service.htm

[Mutley]

I found this picture on
http://www.
casebook.org/forum/messages/4920/12473.html

Private, Royal Marine Light Infantry,
by Sawyer of Walmer

The only difference appears to be the black silk ribbons hanging from the Glengarry
Curiously, this photo was taken less than 2 miles away from yours!