TOPIC:

Researching ancestor and have a photocopy of a photograph; written on the back is "Tom Monkman".
Having browsed your site and forum questions/responses I am left wondering whether my picture is genuine as it seems to be just staged with the person's head inserted, a la seaside photo?
My ancestor, recorded as Thomas Monkman, was born in 1868 and appears on census records through to 1911 except for 1901 where his wife is listed as head of family. He reappears on the 1911 census along with an 8 year old child, so he was "away from home" some time between 1891 and 1902?
There is an army attestation record for 1901 to join PofW West Yorkshire Regiment but the Birth Year is 1 year out and the Birth parish and town are wrong.
There is an Anglo-Boer War record for a Sergeant T Monkman 1 Volunteer Battalion West Yorks but there is no detail to connect to my ancestor?
There are some 1st WW records of CSM later Major T Monkman but his Death is recorded as 1913.
Would appreciate any opinions of the picture and guidance as to how I could find any detail of his service.
Many thanks in anticipation.

Your Photo...….



Mike

Is this a genuine photo of a serving soldier?
What would the white plume signify?

Many thanks

Gouitais,

The white plume will be a unit identifier - but not the best colour for the battlefield.

I have looked at other pictures of the WRR and they are not wearing a plume so I am not sure. www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...ing-regiment?start=1

You have seen the three entries in FindMyPast:



The two T Monkmans you have listed are the only two who served in the Boer War. If he was not on the 1901 census, he could have been serving elsewhere.

Kind regards
David

Many thanks for your helpful response.
Having browsed through the wealth of info on your fantastic site, and not seeing any white plumes, it led me to question the veracity of my photo.
Up to now I only have circumstantial evidence that the 2 T Monkmans in the Army Service Records could be my ancestor but there is not enough information to be more definite so will continue the quest.
Once again many thanks for your help.
Regards
Gouitais