TOPIC:

Thank you! I ended up email myself the photo and reducing its size. I only have an iPad so not ideal…

Hello Brasilmum
Welcome to the forum.
Your image.

Brasilmum

Do you have any details pertaining to the photograph? And, why do you believe it to be connected to Pembrokeshire and its yeomanry?

Regards

Dave.

Thanks for replying Dave
I am a member of another site who try to recognise unidentified photos taken in the UK and I have spent the past few days trying to confirm the location of this one, it just captured me!. The photographer was from Lampeter David Jones Davies. I think the photo was taken locally to him (personal opinion!) I started researching who would be wearing a uniform in the UK with a slouch hat and came up with the Imperial Yeomanry. On further research I found out there was a Pembrokeshire Yeomanry and not only that but a Capt J C Harford of Falcondale Estate raised a 4th Sqn (D) of Yeomanry to go out to the second Boer War. He recruited from Cardiganshire and the HQ was in Lampeter. I thought the rifle you can see the picture is a Lee Metford ( sorry I said Lee Enfield originally!) and I read that was the rifle they used. I could go on, but hopefully that gives you more detail and why I think they are Pembrokeshire Yeomanry. I have a feeling the photo was taken on the Falcondale estate, but can’t find any evidence. At least if I can confirm they are Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, that would be a start!
Regards Sian

Hi Dave
I had to edit my rifle sorry, I said Lee Enfield!
I have started to read through the very interesting information on the site and got over excited when reading about Lt Bertie Davies-Evans and the party that was held for him
‘ His father was a Lt-Colonel & Lord Lieutenant of the County. Bertie's 1891 coming of age party occupied nearly a whole page of the local newspaper and two thousand locals gathered in the garden at midday to wish him a Happy Birthday.’
I I know it’s a long shot, but know thinking was this photo taken at that party?! Apologies, I tend not to be able to hold thoughts. I must do more research before sharing!

Hello Brasilmum – well done on emailing the photo to yourself allowing you to reduce its size – as they say there is more than one way to skin a cat!

Your comments are fascinating and I would not be surprised if your photo was the D Squadron (on foot and not in khaki and not wearing slouch hats) of the Pembroke Yeomanry being reviewed by some men of the Pembroke Imperial Yeomanry (on horseback in khaki wearing slouch hats) who had recently returned from South Africa.

An October 1901 edition of the London Gazette tells us that Captain John Charles Harford had been transferred on 30th September 1901 to the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry from the 3rd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, a militia battalion concerned with home defence rather than putting the Boers in their place. Personally I think the venerable London Gazette got a bit confused and should really have left out the “Imperial”. By September 1901 the first wave of the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry had returned from South Africa having been replaced by the second wave. A third wave went out in early 1902 but I am 99.99% certain Capt J C Harford did not go with them and he does not appear on the medal rolls for the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry.

This press clipping from the Montgomery County Times of 26th October 1901 is interesting and pertinent:



Firstly it shows what a ******* muddle the naming of army units was at the time. Also we find Captain J C Harford recruiting men on the basis they would not be committing themselves to going to South Africa. I think we can assume neither was he and he was still involved, as an officer in the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry, with home defence. I have read newspaper report after newspaper report where the reporter has got confused between the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry and the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry – that latter was specially formed for the Second Boer War and disbanded shortly after it ended.

I have found another newspaper article in the Welsh Gazette of September 9th 1909. The title of the article is “PEMBROKESHIRE YEOMANRY – D SQUADRON SHOOTING COMPETITION”. The body of the article changes nomenclature: “The annual shooting competition in connection with the D Squadron (Cardiganshire) Squadron of the Pembroke Imperial Yeomanry was held at Capeli Range, near Lampeter.” The reporter appears to have been playing safe! Rather bizarrely considering your enjoyment of his coming of age party, the article continues: “Captain Delme Davies-Evans, the commanding officer was present, accompanied by Major J C Harford, Falcondale.” The weather was awful and the competition for trained men, which required them to fire 5 rounds from both 200 & 500 yards, was won by Sgt. James Morgan.

Well Brasilmum I hope you are not now as confused as I am.

Regards, David (of Smethwick & Pembrokeshire).

For forummers who are still with us: Major John Charles Harford served with the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry for two years in France during the Great War despite being well into his fifties. His son, John Henry Harford, served in the South Wales Borderers and met his end on 26th October 1916 and his name can be found on Thiepval Memorial.