Wigan Album

That's a pith helmet sat beside him - which would indicate that he was on colonial service, rather than in a European theatre. He could have been in a former French colony, but it might be simply that the only paper available at the time was back-printed with 'Carte Postale'.
I can't see any regimental badges on his uniform - perhaps he was a civil servant, a colonial officer, of some kind.
Do you have any other information about him?

he certainly had something wrong with his right eye.

He lived in Kay's houses Little Westwood, number 43, he was a collier and he served in the First World War I believe he came home suffering from the effects of Mustard Gas.

Following your comment, Mick, I looked up some pics I have of Lower Ince soldiers at Gallipoli. One shows a soldier, Private Richard Glover, in the same uniform (apart from the swagger stick), taken in the same studio as your grandfather - same pose, chair, pith helmet on the stand, same background. Pte. Glover was killed at Gallipoli on August 7th, 1915, along with other local lads from the 1st/ 5th Manchester Regiment- which was as near as Wigan got to a "Pals' Regiment".
So I'd guess your grandfather was in the 1st/ 5th Manchesters.
So it looks as if many of the regiment went to the same studio, maybe here in Wigan, before going into battle.
Presumably you've looked up your family's connections with St Mary's - marriages, and baptism?

Thanks for the information David much appreciated.

A quick Google brought this up, Mick: http://www.themanchesters.org/5th%20batt.htm
It seems that the studio was in Egypt - where the French had probably the strongest of European influences (built the Suez Canal, for instance) historically. That's where the 1st/5th Manchesters received their tropical kit - and seemed to have had their pics taken to send home to their families.

George Rimmington's service records appear not to have survived but if you email me I can forward you his medal card which shows that he got off the ship at Gallipoli on 6th May 1915. Richard Glover was on the same ship.

To Kath Arkwright, If you could e-mail a copy of his medal card it would be very welcome. My e-mail is msnw19090@blueyonder.co.uk. Thanks.

Rev David Long please can you put the picture of private Richard Glover on ww i think it maybe a great uncle of mine regards carol

You'll find the pic in the pdf of St Mary's Memorial Booklet elsewhere on WiganWorld: http://www.wiganworld.co.uk/ww1booklet.pdf

Rev David Long i have looked up Private RICHARD GLOVER he is my relation,he was cousin to my grandfather(also named Richard Glover) and they lived next door to one another on Canal bank lower ince. many thanks regards carol

According to the 1925 Ince Directory, they lived next-door-but-one to one another. Him at 11, your grandfather at 7.
Are you in touch with the Hursts, from whom I received use of the pics?
If you want copies of the pics I have you can email me.

Dear Rev David Long my sister and i have been researching our family tree,my sister thought we were related a Hurst family, now we know how (in reading the write up in the memorial book),if no trouble please will you email the pics to me that would be great.Yes they did live next door but one, we have traced the Glover family back to early 1800s,still researching.Once again thank you very much for all your help kind regards Carol

chemical weapons . when will we learn.

Mick hope you don't mind i have emailed you a newspaper cutting of your grandfather George Rimmington; i came across it when i was researching my grandfathers (Richard Glover)cousins who both died in W.W.1 they both came from lower ince and also worked in the coalmine. regards carol

What a lovely picture, Ive looked for George on my Kay's Family Tree and cant find him, could you give me a bit more info on his family, wife, parents etc so I can plot him on this tree. Also Id love it if you would post this and any other photo you have on the Kay Website
http://littlewestwood-kays.webs.com/
Cheers Margaret

From my database:
This man is No:2048 Pte. George Rimmington. He enlisted with the 1/5th Battalion at the Wigan Drill Hall on the 30th August 1914. He was aged 32 and was born in 1882/83. He lived in Kay's Houses and was employed at the Wigan and Coal Company. He joined the battalion at Littleborough near Rochadale and left Wigan with the rest of the Battalion. On the 10th September 1914, the battalion left the UK and travelled to Egypt. On the 3rd May 1915 the battalion had to move quickly to Gallipoli. The third Battle of Krithia took place between the 4th and 8th June 1915. George was wounded and evacuated back to the UK. He was transfered to the Military hospital at Davenport. He was discharged from the military on 20th September 1915 from the Reserve Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He was discharged under Kings Regs 1912 (XVI) -No longer Physically fit for war service. He was given a Silver War Badge No 78535. He would be entiltled to the 1915 Star and the BWM and Victory Medal. He was 33 years old on discharge. The image you have hear is the same image that was used in the Wigan Observer - dated 24th July 1915, Pg.6. The rest of the information has been obtained using the official military documents available on Ancestry, FindMyPast etc. Feel free to email me if you have any questions. Regards