Pre WWI Rifleman

[marypryde]

I would be happy to do my own research if only some kind expert will tell me where to begin and hopefully interpret the information I have.

Here's what I have:

1 photograph of a fine looking military man with the following written on it (probably by his civilian wife):
"Sergt John B. Thomson Sr.
2nd V.B. Scottish Rifles - E Company"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58984053@N02/?saved=1 (Hopefully this will work. I can always send a PM if you want it.)

Facts: He was born 7 May 1855 in Dalserf, Lanarkshire.
He looks to be about 25-35 in the photo.
He married in 1877 and had 4 children between 1879 and 1886. (all born Scotland)
He was present for the 1891 Bothwell census.
He emigrated from Scotland to the USA in 1911.

"Scottish Rifles", when I look it up, seems to mean a lot of things, depending on the era. I also have no idea what V.B. means. Anyone care to point me in the right direction?

Thanks, Mary

[AndrewP]

Hi Mary,

Looks like the full title should be 2nd Volunteer Battalion Scottish Rifles.

All the best,

AndrewP

[marypryde]

Thanks, Andrew. Would a volunteer battalion not see active duty unless called upon in times of trouble? Similar to US National Guard? I know nothing about non-US military.

[AndrewP]

Hi Mary,

They were certainly fighting in the 2nd Boer War. See http://warmemscot.s4.bizhat.com/warmems ... 41854.html for reference to a memorial in a church not far from Dalserf.

http://www.researchpress.co.uk/voluntee ... /index.htm shows the battalion being formed from the 26th and 90th Foot regiments in the 1881 army reorganisation.

All the best,

AndrewP

[Montrose Budie]

The Cameronians, Scottish Rifles, 26th of Foot, were originally raised 19th April 1689. In the major 1881 army reforms they were amalgamated with the 90th of Foot, the Perthshire Volunteers Light Infantry, to form the regular army regiment The Scottish Rifles (Cameronians).

For several decades prior to 1881 there had been a growing rifle volunteer movement. These were originally locally based, independent companies, sometimes referred to as corps. As the movement continued to grow, companies were brought together into battalions. As part of the 1881 reforms, these battalions were rationalised and formed into volunteer battalions of the regular army. In this case, a number of Lanarkshire rifle volunteer companies, 16th (Hamilton), 42nd (Uddingston), 44th (Blantyre), 52nd (Hamilton) , 56th (Bothwell), 57th (Wishaw), 102 (Motherwell), 103rd (Blantyre), 106th (Strathaven), and a very recently formed and unnumbered second corp from Motherwell. came together as the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Scottish Rifles, i.e. associated with what is more generally known as The Cameronians.

The 56th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers were formed at Bothwell on 23rd February 1860. It joined the 1st Administrative Battalion and then became 'E' Company of the new 16th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers in 1873, renumbered 2nd LRV in 1880, prior to 1881.

Service outside the UK was not part of being a rifle volunteer, but, in the Second Boer War, Oct 1899 to May 1902, the pressure on the regular army became so intense that volunteers were sought from the rifle volunteers corps.

During this period 132 men from the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Scottish Rifles served in South Africa.

The uniform in the photo is nothing like examples that I can find of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Scottish Rifles, so that it may relate to an earlier uniform worn by the 56th Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers. Unfortunately, the cap badge can't be made out.

The medal doesn't look like a regular army medal.

mb

[Montrose Budie]

The photo probably dates to between 1877 and 1881, possibly 1891 or later, when the uniform adopted was scarlet tunics, blue trousers, facings, and Austrian knots, with red and white diced border glengarries, with white belts. Everything except the belt, which appears to be brown leather, matches. That could mean that the date is as late as 1891 or after when brown leather equipment was adopted.

mb

[marypryde]

Thank you both - Andrew and MB!
I now have a much better idea what I'm looking at.
Much appreciated. Mary Ellen