Taken in Cork, 1905-1909

Use the navigation buttons below to view the next or previous resource.

Credit: Image © Durham Record Office (D/DLI 7/194/9)

Description

A photograph, signed ‘Yours sincerely James Durham’, taken by a Cork photographer when the 2nd Battalion was in Ireland. The Battalion was stationed at the Victoria Barracks, Cork, from October 1905 until January 1909, so Jimmy is in his early 20s.

---

Notes

Jimmy is wearing his best (full dress) uniform of red tunic (jacket) with dark green facings (collar and cuffs) and brass buttons. His trousers are dark blue, with a thin red stripe down the outside of each leg, and with a white leather waist belt with brass clasp. His boots are black leather. On his tunic, you can see red and white striped bandsman’s wings on each shoulder; his bandsman’s badge on his right arm; two long service stripes above his left cuff; and two DLI bugle badges on his collar. His cap on the chair has a leather peak and DLI badge, and he is carrying a walking-out cane. Standing Orders for 2DLI in 1907 state that ‘A soldier is never to appear outside the barracks on any excuse without being properly dressed … He must be clean and well shaved, and carry a cane of the regimental pattern’. These canes made the soldiers look smart and stopped them from putting their hands in their pockets!

---

Use the navigation buttons below to view the next or previous resource.