Photograph from Jerome Studio - What uniform is the man wearing?

Portrait of a Man in Uniform

Josephine Lewis wrote:

Great Grandfather?

"I hope you may be able to help me. I have an old Jerome postcard photo of a man I believe to be my great grandfather.

He was with Liverpool city police from 1883 until 1908 but I think this photo may have been taken after his police service."

What is the Uniform?

"I have contacted Liverpool museums, but they were unable to help as they had no idea what sort of uniform it was.

As my great grandfather lived in Liverpool from 1881 until his death in 1939, I feel sure it must have been taken somewhere in Liverpool.

The only other possible connection is the Isle of Man where my grandmother was born in 1880 and I suppose he could possibly have gone back there at some point in time**.

If you have any idea what the uniform is, or where the photo might have been taken I would be most grateful.

There is a possible nautical link."

Josephine Lewis, Accrington, Lancashire: January 17, 2011

Reply to Josephine?

** I don't know whether Jerome had studios in the Isle of Man or not, but they certainly did a lot of business from their Liverpool studio. It was based at 17 London Road, Liverpool from 1920 until at least 1940.

If you can help to identify this uniform of the man in this photo, please email me, then I'll pass on your message to Josephine. Thank you.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: January 17, 2011

Reply

Jim Cairns

Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland

Jim Cairns replied:

Corps of Commissionaires?

"It occurs to me that this uniform could be have been that of a Commissionaire.

They were usually retired ex-NCOs from the forces, and the age of the gentleman would suggest that he was past serving age.

The Corps of Commissionaires may be able to confirm this."

Jim Cairns, Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland: January 18, 2011

I've emailed the Corps of Commissionaires to see if they can help to answer this question.

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: January 18, 2011

Reply

Liz Gatley

England

Liz Gatley replied:

Corps of Commissionaires?

"It looks, to me, like a maritime uniform, but for something like a harbour master or light house keeper.

I found very similar uniform on a guy called Francis Thomson, New Brighton lighthouse keeper, on Google."

Liz Gatley, England: January 18, 2011

Reply

Archie Young

Moredun, Edinburgh

Thank you to Archie Young for the interesting details included in his reply below.

Archie wrote:

Corps of Commissionaires? - No

Uniform

"I don't think that the chap in uniform in this photo was in The Corps of Commissionaires as they normally wear a black patent belt over the shoulder with a small dispatch bag attached.

The earlier head gear for a Commissionaire was a Kepi and not a cap like he is wearing, they then started to wear the modern peaked cap but had a white top on it, I would think the uniform he is wearing is a dress uniform (Evening Wear ) due to the fact he has a bow tie on."

Medals on the Right and Left

"On looking at the photo, it is strange that he has medals on the right and left of his jacket. Medals earned are always worn on the left. Medals that were awarded to a relative are worn on the right.

However, the medals on his right seem to be military and may be campaign medals. At the top of them there is a bar which would tell you where he fought. if indeed he did.

The medals on his left breast, I would say are Police medals.

On his right sleeve at the bottom he has service chevrons, he has five of these but the latter is brighter for some reason."

Headgear

"If Josephine could furbish more details, like date of birth for him and whether or not he did military services well as his 25 years with the Police."

Archie Young, Moredun, Edinburgh: January 19, 2011