Uniform identification and era?

[mellis5377]

Good afternoon,

I'm having problems identifying a photo of my 3x grt grandfather George Thomas Ellis, we believe the photo was taken between 1850 and 1871, but are having problems identifying if its either the uniform of a Royal navy or Merchant seaman, mainly because its a head and shoulders shot.

 We also came across a photo around the same time period of his brother James Ellis in a uniform and was told by a relative that they didn't believe he was in any armed force and it was likely just theatrical dress. Any help in identifying either uniform would be greatly appreciated.

Kind regards
Matthew Ellis

[John Young]

Matthew,

The brother is a Pioneer in a line infantry regiment, as designated by the crossed axes on right arm.  Photographed post-1874, as he is wearing the 1874 pattern dress tunic, but  prior to 1881, when the pattern of tunic changed and the Long Service Good Conduct stripe that he is wearing on his right sleeve above the trefoil knot changed the left arm.  The crossed rifles on his left sleeve indicate that he was the best shot in his company, the badge would later be styled the Marksman's badge.

Isandlwana