WWI Sterioview of the Seaforths

[Lance]

Saw this on epay and had to get it. Sorry for the grainy scan but 600dpi was the best I could get out of her. What I love about it is the mix of kit these guys had at the time. It is hard to see but I hope you can make it out.

There are:

Five CLLE Mk I*'s with P1888 Mk I (2nd type) bayonets.
Two SMLE MK I* (assumed based on rear handguard rivit pattern which the scan does not show well). One of the rifles is fitted with a P1903 bayonet based on the grip profile.
One SMLE Mk III (assumed) based on the P1907 with quillion bayonet.

Information

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[bigduke6]

Good photo Lance,

Pity it has no date, but its early (no helmets) plus the "Long Lees" I,m guessing they are a Section from a TA Battalion.

Doubt the caption regarding "front line trench" as it looks like new, possibly a communications/support trench, with the condition of the kit (clean and bulled boots) probably on their way to the front........ or just arrived ?

Spent a few weeks searching the net and looked at many pics, I,ve been looking and searching for info and pics of the 1st Battalion Kings (Liverpool) Regiment, around 1917/18 after eventually finding what Battalion my Grandad was with. Struck lucky with Ancestry UK, although I had his medal card and discharge *certificates (*he joined up again when Discharged) never found his Battalion in WW1, until a few weeks back, found a page from the regiment Medal roll for the BWM and Victory medal, this lists him with 7 others, all 1st battalion and consecutive service numbers so may be able to get some info from searching the others.

[Seaforth72]

Lance - You actually have two photos, taken with a stereo camera. It you put the card in an old Stereoscope (most museums and many antique stores have these) you will get a 3-dimensional view. The card is likely curved, so I suggest that you do not try to flatten it. Although these cards are pretty strong, I have seen early photos mounted on cards that have snapped in half. Treat it with care.

I served with the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada (1970-1977) and I started and ran their regimental museum for about 15 years. I have never seen this photo and I feel that it shows Imperial Seaforths.

I agree with bigduke6 that it is likely a staged photo and that is was likely taken far behind the lines or possibly even in the U.K. The Seaforths' museum (for the Imperials) is located at Fort George, Inverness, Scotland.

[RCS]

The start of WW1 Attachment 69266Attachment 69267

as shown in London and Belgium

[Lance]

Thanks for the info on the Imperial Seaforths. Plus for Seaforth72, not to tease, but......

Now it would be lovely if you had the can for 71L0386/485-C. Sorry no idea where the scope is.

[Seaspriter]

Now it would be lovely if you had the can for 71L0386/485-C. Sorry no idea where the scope is.
Attached Thumbnails

Ah, Lance, so close but so far away. I have Long Branch sniper # 71L0279 that Brian Dick is currently restoring. Perhaps someday she will be reunited with her scope.

[Paul S.]

What is interesting to me in the Seaforth photos is, as already mentioned, the Long Lees rifles on issue along side of SMLEs - apparently in the same battalion. It is also interesting that most of their Tams don't have toories. It makes me wonder if it isn't a mix from different battalions.

[butlersrangers]

Good Dog!

Attachment 69534

[Thunderbox]

The scene doesn't look particularly warlike, and of course it has been captured by a civilian using a very large and bulky camera. Quite possibly it is a TA training exercise back in Britain, and not a "front line" shot - the photographers were quite willing to mis-title their work.

[Sentryduty]

While it is difficult to be certain, the lads do look quite clean and well turned out for a front line. Further, the trench does look to be "fresh", no water at the bottom, narrow, and looking at the sod cuts, and background, artillery hasn't gotten within several hundred yards of that line yet. Looks like an otherwise beautiful pasture that had a scar cut through it.

I don't dispute the excellent stereo, I do think the photographer may have been embellishing the caption a little.