53665: Photograph of 1/22nd Battalion London Regiment (The Queen's)
It is interesting to see the regimental mascot (a Jack Russell terrier, of course). I suspect that this photograph (forming a postcard) was taken in 1915 as my father (second left, back row) looks particularly young. It might have been taken in England before the regiment embarked for France.
Editor's Comment:
Rifleman 684333 Sidney Frank Hewett, London Regiment (according to the medal card held by the National Archives), shown with the ribbon of the Military Medal in the other submitted photograph. He served in one of the Queens battalions (22nd or 24th London Regiment), judging by his cap badge in this photograph, but these were infantry of the line battalions rather than rifles, which suggests he transferred (perhaps to the 21st Battalion, First Surrey Rifles) prior to the medal card being filled out. The award of his militay medal cannot be traced in the London Gazette.
The stripe on the lower arm of the man seated second from left is a 'wound badge' or 'wound stripe', instituted by Army Order 249, 6th July 1916. The photograph thus cannot predate its introduction and was probably taken in late summer, 1916. Note also the SB ('Stretcher Bearer') armband of the man standing in front and just left of Sidney Hewett.
