Squadron Sergeant-Major Edward Farren Fryer
Edward Farren Fryer was born on 8 July 1876 at Chatteris, Cambridgeshire, one of at least eight children of gardener Alfred Fryer and his wife Clara.
Fryer enlisted in the 12th (Prince of Wales's Royal) Lancers at London on 8 February 1890 (No.3233). He had risen to the rank of sergeant by 1897 and two years later, on 22 October 1899, embarked with his regiment for service in the Boer War. He returned home on 3 January 1901 and three weeks later married Jane Bass at Kew. The couple had two children over the next seven years.
On 1 April 1903 Fryer was appointed to the permanent staff of the newly-formed North of Ireland Imperial Yeomanry as squadron sergeant-major of D Squadron (Dundalk). He continued in that role when that regiment was disbanded and re-formed as the North Irish Horse on 6 July 1908.
Fryer was discharged at his own request after 18 years' service on 28 February 1909. His conduct was recorded as 'exemplary'.
Following his discharge Fryer returned with his family to England, living in London before returning to Chatteris. He died there on 4 May 1947.
The image above, taken around 1905, can be seen in its full context here.