Unknown Somme Soldier #28
Do you recognise this DLI Regimental Policeman?
In summer 1916, whilst the Battle of the Somme was raging less than 10 miles away, hundreds of British soldiers, including men from the DLI, had their photographs taken by an enterprising French photographer in the village of Warloy-Baillon.
These photographs were clearly taken in summer. Look at the leaves on the trees and the weeds on the cobbled paths. And it had been raining. Look at the mud on the men’s boots and puttees (the long strips of cloth wrapped around the lower leg to provide ankle support and stop stones and water getting into the boots).
But who were these DLI soldiers?
There are clues in the uniforms and badges being worn by each soldier that may help identify him.
During the First World War, each battalion had its own policemen, who were responsible for, amongst other duties, maintaining discipline, controlling traffic, and handling Prisoners of War. Sometimes called ‘battle police’, these soldiers, led by a Provost Sergeant, wore a distinctive ‘RP’ (Regimental Police) brassard, and often carried long canes.
This Private is wearing a khaki Service Dress (SD) tunic, with its closed collar; pleated top pockets; and a patch on each shoulder to prevent wear from rifle and equipment straps. On his left arm is his ‘RP’ brassard (red letters on black?), and above is a triangular cloth ‘battle patch’.
These differently shaped and coloured cloth patches were introduced during the war to distinguish battalions within a division. If this soldier was part of the 151st Brigade of the 50th Division (as is suspected), then the 6th Battalion DLI wore RED diamonds; the 8th Battalion DLI wore dark BLUE diamonds; and the 9th Battalion DLI wore GREEN diamonds.
On his SD cap (with its brown leather chin strap) is the distinctive DLI cap badge and he is also wearing a cotton webbing belt with brass fittings.
Did a copy of this photo get sent home to his wife, his parents or his sweetheart?
Was this soldier your ancestor?
If you know who this soldier was, please, contact us.
For more information about this project, go to the WHAT’S ON section of the DURHAM AT WAR website and search for the PROJECT named UNKNOWN SOMME SOLDIER.
Gender: Male
Contributed by Durham County Record Office
