What Unifrom is my Great Grandfather Wearing?

[Yent]

Hi all!

I've been reading through this forum for a few days now and what a wonderful place it is! So many knowledgable and helpful people; I thought I'd be selfish & ask if anyone here can help me learn more about my Russian heritage.

This is the only picture I have of Wladimir Romanov:

https://imgur.com/a/1Pf84

My found out from relatives that he cycled from Russia to France during or maybe before the revolution. I was also told he joined the French military/navy after arriving. This seems strange as to me he is wearing an Imperial Russian uniform, but that photo is obviously taken in France.

So if anyone could tell me more about the uniform that would be amazing!

[Mike]

The uniformed guy on the photo is an infantry private, most probably of the Russian Expeditionary Force in France, 1916 - 1917.
See e.g. here.

[Yent]

Amazing, thanks so much for the help Mike!

We knew that he was in Odessa (perhaps born there), he lived in Paris & died there Paris on Aug 7, 1965 He was Buried in Champigny-sur-Marne, France.

He had three (or more, still trying to find out) children in France: Age 38, Georgette Marie (born Romanoff) Sep 18 1927 - Age 40, Sonia Romanoff July 28 1929 -

We only know that his son died in WW2:

Age 56
Death of son:
Pierre ROMANOFF
Aug 1945

Mike, I don't suppose you have any information about where I can go to next to find out more? Unfortunately my side of the family is very small & there is no one left to speak to about this history.

Appreciated,
Yent

[Mike]

Since Vladimir was just a private soldier and the surname Romanov is pretty widespread among Russians, I don't believe that it might be realistic to find any info on him in Russian archives or in other Russian sources. However, you might try French archives. Most Russian soldiers were repatriated upon the end of WW1 and much few had chosen to stay in France. Their names and other personal data must be kept somewhere in France together with residence applications etc.