Do you recognise the medals that this unknown man is wearing?
QCan you tell me anything about the unknown man in this family photograph? I believe the medals are the 1914–15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, and that, given the man’s advanced age, he is likely wearing them on his right breast to remember a family member. Hence, the cloth poppy. I have a possible candidate: William Henry Hooton (1854–1934). One of his sons, Theodore Clifford Hooton (1895–1915), was killed in Egypt during the First World War and was awarded the medals posthumously. What would the event be, and why would he be dressed like that?
Leo Hickman
AThis is a studio portrait of a well-dressed elderly gentleman wearing, as you’ve surmised, a relative’s medals and a poppy. If this is William Henry Hooton wearing Theodore’s medals, then it’s probably after 1922 because the medal rolls (digitised and available on ancestry.co.uk) show his 1914–15 Star was only issued in late 1922, and the first British poppy factory was only established that year.
The top hat and suit suggest that he’s going to a formal event. If forced to make a guess, I’d suggest that it’s the unveiling of the Memorial to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London
Regiment) on 4 November 1922. Theodore died of wounds suffered at Gallipoli with the 2/1st Royal Fusiliers.
There is a photo of a William Henry Hooton, born on 14 November 1854, on the Canadian section of Ancestry, but you’ll need to contact the owner to ask to see it. Searches on the site suggest some possible links with Canada. Phil Tomaselli
1 MEDALS
The medals are worn on the right breast. Strictly speaking, only the person awarded a medal is allowed to wear them, but the rule is relaxed so that relatives can wear them on the right. It’s clear that they’ve never been worn as a group (they’re in the wrong order). Some civilians might have been awarded all three (for service with an ambulance unit, for example), but these were probably awarded to a soldier or sailor.
2
STAR MEDAL
The star-shaped medal is either the 1914 Star or the 1914–15 Star. They look identical at a distance. Theodore was certainly awarded the 14–15 Star, and the British War Medal (centre) and Victory Medal (left) followed automatically.
POPPY
The first poppies were actually manufactured in France. After 1922, they were made in Britain and had the words “Haig Fund” highlighted in silver in the centre. Although illegible, the words are clearly visible here.