This book aims to help with the dating of British army photographs from the second half of the 19th century and the first half of the 20th.
It argues that much can be learned from such pictures, even when the regiment can't be identified, and even without being a military historian.
A head-to-toe examination of uniform and accoutrements identifies possible dating clues, and a separate section gives extra assistance with photos from the two world wars.
Contents:
Introduction
Photographing soldiers
The military context
- The army
- Rank insignia
- An overview of charge
Questions of colour
- The spread of khaki
- Colour in monochrome
The uniform in detail
- Upper body
- Lower body
- Headgear
Accoutrements in detail
- Hat badges
- Rank insignia
- Other arm and shoulder badge
- Buttons and collar badges
- Items worn on the chest
- Facial hair
- Belts, bags and straps
- Rifles
Special cases
- Camel Corps
- Royal Flying Corps
- First World War blues
Which end of which war?
- First World War
- Second World War
The wider picture
Illustrations
Bibliography
