Help to identify uniform

[Stevie b]

Please help to identify this uniform from a family portrait.

Possible regiments are 96th foot or a Norfolk regiment.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[neil1821]

Hi Stevie,
Great picture! Can you put a name to him?

One thing that will narrow down the possible regiment is the facing colour (collar and cuffs in other words). Each regiment had a particular colour, and prior to 1881 (which this obviously is) not too many had white facings.

Here's a reference chart
http://uk.geocities.com/neil182@btinternet.com/facingcolours.htm

[scrimnet]

Looks around 1840 or before to me...

Have you shown it to the National Army Museum???

They would love a look!!!

[Stevie b]

Hi neil1821

Thanks for the prompt reply the link is a good one but has not really helped.

His name was William Mitchell Moore born 1806 Norwich, service number 90.
He enlisted 10/12/1823 in the 94th Foot, transfered to 96th Foot 12/02/1824, serving with the 96th in Bermuda, Tasmania and India until his discharge 09/09/1851.

The original oil painting measuring approx 36" X 32" of him has been passed down through the family via eldest son to myself from my god parents who unfortunately had no heirs.

I am not sure that the painting shows him in his 96th uniform as I believe the facings should be buff.

I am attaching a photo of the original uniform sleeve that I also have in my collection.

[Stevie b]

Hi scrimnet

Thanks for looking and the reply. Do you think that the National Army Museum would be interested in a family portrait.

Steve

[scrimnet]

If not, the Regt Museum certainly would be! But I'm sure such a marvelous bit of military history would be of interest to them.

Its a bit odd that such a lowly NCO would have had a competent portrait painted. You would normally expect to find only officers done in this manner.

Didi he get up to some derring do or other??

What a splendid bit of kit you have there!! Love the bit of sleeve...

[harribobs]

excellent portrait and a wonderful (matching) piece of his uniform!!

no mention of him (that i can see) in the regimental history i'm afraid, but i can tell you

320 privates transferred from the 94th foot to the 96th in Feb 1824

i think the Museum would be very interested and perhaps would be able to tell you more than me. this is the museum web site
http://www.tameside.gov.uk/museumsgalleries/mom

the curator is Garry Smith

[liverpool annie]

Hi Steve !

I wonder who the artist was ? .... can you see? ... wonder if he had it painted for his retirement ?
I couldn't find anything in the Gazette ... can anybody else ??

Annie 

[Stevie b]

Hi Annie

The painting is not signed as far as I can see.

I wonder if it could have been painted by a convict as he served from 1840 - 49 with the 96th Regiment of Foot in Tasmania, where his wife accompanied him and gave birth to 3 more children.
Two of his sons also enlisted in the 96th whilst in Tasmania and India.

Steve