Cecil Benson c1913

This photo was sent to me in 2003 by a lady called Rona Benson. The photo is signed,’Your loving brother, Cecil.’ She said he was her husband’s great uncle Cecil Nelson Benson who was born in 1898, making him about 15 at the time of the photo. He has Green Howards collar badges but his tunic is a mystery. I have not seen this pattern of shoulder wings before and can only think that he is either a bandsman or a drummer. It must be an undress tunic as the wings worn by the band and the Corps of Drums in dress were striped with tape. The braid around the collar and shoulder straps is similar to the braid on the cuffs of the 1890 and 1910 Drummers. The tunic or frock is certainly an undress uniform as there is no white piping down the front edge. The brown leather waist-belt is also an undress item. In the bottom right corner there is a portion of his single long service and good conduct stripe which indicates that he was a boy musician or drummer. The background suggests that the photo was taken at camp.

Regimental Details | Band