ARC TBC...Ernest Edward GREAVES & the 'on war service' badge

[expat66]

I had been running a thread on my great grandfather Ernest Edward GREAVES ( born 1874 Birmingham) in 'General Discussion' but have got to a point where there is some sort of link with WWI and I could do with some input from you military experts!

I have this photo taken ? I don't know what year?

Ernest Edward Greaves 5th from left back row.jpg (80.7 KiB) Viewed 3948 times

On the back of the photo is ...... Baker 40- Kitchener Street ...... ( which is in Winson Green)

Ernest is in the back row with a pipe.... third from the right... straw boater.
He was a tinworker in Birmingham and I don't think he served in the military. I was wondering if these were all tinworkers.

A close up of one of the lapel badges is below ( not Ernest.... just one of the chaps in the front row whose badge was clearer)

scan0002.jpg (24.61 KiB) Viewed 3948 times

After some research on the internet I came across a badge which I had never heard of before ..... the 'on war service' badge'

here is an example

OWS3.gif (80 KiB) Viewed 3948 times

I think this might be the badge they are wearing? ... looks the right sort of shape?

FarSide also came up with some info. on WWI casualties linked to that Kitchener Street address .. a William T Baker
Here is what FarSide found...

http://twgpp.org/information.php?id=991718
Cemetery: Portsmouth Naval Memorial
Country: England
Area: Hampshire
Rank: Private
Official Number: PO/18278
Unit: H.M.S. "Vanguard." Royal Marine Light Infantry
Force: Royal Marines
Nationality: British
Details:
09/07/17 Aged 20 Plaque 27 Killed by internal explosion of vessel at Scapa Flow Son of T. and M. Baker, of 40, Kitchener St., Winson Green, Birmingham.


and this
http://best-maritime-crewing.info/catal ... 98_72.html
RMLI Private PO/18278 BAKER William Thomas 20 Son of T. and M. Baker of 40 Kitchener St., Winson Green, Birmingham.
FarSide

Can anyone give me any more info. on ......the lapel badge ? .... who this group might be? ... possible date of the photo etc.
Linell thought it might be from around 1940 and they are standing in front of a churchyard?

Any help greatly appreciated!
Thankyou
Expat

[peterd]

here

http://www.btinternet.com/~prosearch/OWS.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/4100154685/


poss taken 1915 - 1918 as after 1918 why wear the badge ?

proberly a company photo ?

could he of worked in the Avery foundrys (soho foundry) ? they had jappaning shops (tin work ?)

http://www.averyweigh-tronix.com/main.aspx?p=1.1.3.2

http://www.wolverhamptonhistory.org.uk/ ... /japanning

[expat66]

here

http://www.btinternet.com/~prosearch/OWS.html

http://www.flickr.com/photos/23885771@N03/4100154685/


poss taken 1915 - 1918 as after 1918 why wear the badge ?

proberly a company photo ?

Thanks peterd,
Interesting links there .... I had never heard of this till yesterday ... I can see why there was a need to issue them.

Good point about dating the photo too ...there would have been no reason to wear such a badge once the war had ended would there.

I am now wondering if there is any way I can find out who great grandad worked for?

Thanks again
Expat

[peterd]

what does the 1911 say ?

[expat66]

what does the 1911 say ?

I've got this....

10 Knightstone Terrace, Coralie St, Birmingham, Warwickshire, England
Ernest Edward GREAVES(37) railway lamp maker,
wife Harriet(36)married 14 years,
children Leonard Arthur(12)school,
Albert Ernest(8),
Hilda Edna(3) all born B'ham....
William PETERS (79) stepfather..widower..old age pensioner.. born Bristol

Expat

[MarkCDodd]

Better the badge than a white feather.

[Northern Lass]

Is this completed? flagging to archive unless otherwise advised