Was this an official photograph?
QI think that this photograph shows my grandma’s brother Edgar Francis Orford, an army officer. The records show that Captain Orford was awarded both the Military Cross and the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Was this an official photograph?
Phil Hulme-Jones
AThis is a photograph of a recently commissioned second lieutenant with medals showing previous service.
So is it Edgar Orford? Second lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank, and his medals suggest that it is. His officer’s file is at The National Archives (TNA) in Kew, reference WO339/40760. It may contain a copy of his earlier Scots Guards record. I’ve found a splendid obituary in the Bedfordshire
Times and Independent (20 March 1936) on Findmypast ( findmypast.co.uk). It says that he was closely associated with the 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers (SWB), being commissioned, becoming captain and adjutant, and being wounded.
The obituary also details his DCM award: “Corporal Orford succeeded, under fire of the enemy, in rescuing three Grenadiers who were lying exposed to approaching flames. He fortunately possessed wire nippers, and was thus able to reach his helpless comrades by cutting through a stout barbed-wire fence.”
The London Gazette of 12 October 1915 says that he was commissioned as second lieutenant on 1 June. The photograph was probably taken during that period.
You can currently download 10th SWB’s War Diary from TNA for free – just search for the 10th South Wales Borderers at bit.ly/tnawo95-war-diaries. It mentions his being wounded on 13 June 1917. I suspect the photo was part of a set taken by Lafayettes of the battalion, possibly for a newspaper article or simply as a record for the battalion.
Phil Tomaselli
1CAP BADGE
The badge is impossible to identify, but may be South Wales Borderers.
2MEDALS
The medal ribbons are indistinct, but there are certainly three, possibly four. The central pair are Boer War (Queen’s and King’s South Africa); on their right is the Coronation (Police) Medal 1911 – we know that Edgar was a City of London policeman because of the 1911 census. As a gallantry medal, the DCM would be worn to their left and may just be visible.
3CUFF
His cuff has only one star, making him a second lieutenant.
4SWORD
The sword, the ‘Sam Browne’ belt across his chest to which it’s attached, his riding breeches and the large tunic pockets (for holding maps) clearly show that he’s an officer.
5PHOTOGRAPHER
Lafayettes was a large photographic firm with several branches across Britain and Ireland. Its historic collection is split up (learn more at lafayettephotography. com/Main.aspx?Id=1). The Regimental Museum of the Royal Welsh (descendants of the SWB) may have more photographs