8-1410 Sergeant F Jacobs Hampshire Regmt.
Trying to flesh out a bit of background information on this photo for a friend. We believe we’ve got the following correct:
We have another photo taken in Hampshire Regmt uniform, as Sgt on 5 August, 1916 on his wedding day. From his medals held by the family: Awarded 1914-15 star, British War Medal 1914 – 1920, Victory Medal 1914 – 1919. Some (maybe all) of the medals were awarded to him when he was in the Hampshire Regiment.
The interesting bit for us here is this photo (undated) taken in RFC uniform, no visible rank, probably after 1916, presumably before 1st April 1918 (creation of the RAF). As he’d been a Sergeant in 1916, would he have dropped rank to go into the RFC? Could he be a Sgt, RFC? Were airmen seconded to the RFC and thus retained their regimental status? Can we date the pic from the uniform? Presumably he’s on leave back in the UK, but it may not be a family group in this picture. What other RFC info can we deduce from this picture? (Were the swagger stick and side caps for all ranks?) We are suspicious that his left hand looks disfigured, possibly burnt?
Any other leads for RFC service would be appreciated.
Cheers!
By: Flat 12x2 - 27th October 2004 at 13:46
Medal card of Jacobs, Frederick
Corps: Hampshire Regiment
Regiment No: 8/1410
Rank: Serjeant…
Medal details available online for £3.50
National Archives
By: Melvyn Hiscock - 27th October 2004 at 13:40
Cross and Cockade would be a good place to ask questions.
Melv
By: JDK - 27th October 2004 at 13:36
Thanks for that chaps. The medals have been mounted, and were checked before then by a military historian. He took them as issued to Jacobs as a Hampshire’s soldier, as the RFC connection wasn’t realised at that point. Looks like we might have to go back and check the medals!
By: skypilot62 - 27th October 2004 at 13:31
Not an RFC service number, as said, probably Hants regt. New one would be issued on re-mustering in RFC.
What service numbers and regt are on his medals? 14-15 star will probably be Hants Regt. but the BWM and Victory will probably be RAF numbered. With that info you can soon track down the rest from MIC at PRO etc. (as long as his records weren’t destroyed in the Blitz)
Dean
By: kev35 - 27th October 2004 at 13:20
OK, here goes. All supposition of course.
8 – 1410 would appear to me to be an early service number so would most likely refer to Hampshire Regiment. Sergeant in 1916. Could well fit in with early service in the Hampshires rising to Sergeant. A trip to the PRO/NAA to check the Medal Roll would be useful. If he was wounded, he would have been awarded a Silver War Badge, there is a roll for that and, if they survived, his service records.
Now, assuming his injury to the left hand was a bad one he may have been invalided out of the Infantry and remustered to RFC if he had a special skill which was not impeded by his wound. That would account for the loss of rank. In the Second world war, a friend of my uncle’s managed to serve in the Navy, the Marines and the RAF.
Interesting photo. Swagger stick would normally be associated with NCO’s but many studios had one which the soldier held for effect.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
kev35
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October 27, 2004 at 12:18 pm