Dating: anyone out there able to ID military uniform?

[jennigal923]

Hello

This MAY be my 1st cousin x4 times removed: Henry Atkin Douglas B. 1867
He joined the Dragoons October 1883, and served 7 of his 12 years. His service record showed he left the army in 1890 with seven years' service and five in reserve, ending his commitment to reserve service in 1895 (he was in the 1st Dragoons).

Can anyone tell if this is the 'casual' uniform of a Dragoon? From what we can tell, this person is at least wearing a cavalry uniform.

We have toyed with the thought that this pic was taken in South Africa, and if s, then that cancels out this being Henry, as he went to USA after he left the Dragoons.

Any suggestions regards who may be able to identify if noone here can?

[John915]

Good morning,

Sorry but that's not a cavalry uniform as far as I can tell. Can't really see the collar badges but I would say the yorkshires and as he's wearing brown leather gloves and sword so an officer. Slade wallace equipment so prior to 1908 as new webbing was introduced then. You need Scrimnet to give you the full story on this one.

John915

[jennigal923]

Hi John915

Forgive my ignorance ... what is Scrimnet? Website that I should use?

thanx a ton

[macintosh]

Scrimnet is the moderator of this board and expert in all things military, his name is probably a nom de plume from the military camoflague net used to hide vehicles and equipment.

Yor man is wearing riding breeches which suggests he is a mounted soldier, the photograph was probably taken in a garden here going by the construction of the house and the airbrick in the wall and the rope twist glazed path edging.
It would help if you could enlarge the collar badges, I think they may be of a standing animal like a stag rather than a galloping horse, it may be he is a member of a Yeomanry (mounted infantry regiment rather than cavalry


James

[jennigal923]

Hello James

hopefully the resolution is clear enough for you. Thank you for your help.

[macintosh]

Ufortuneately not much more clearer, I can get that resolution on my own file. However it does look ike a stag and I am going to stick my neck out and say Herfordshire Yeomanry, maybe I will be "shot down" by someone more knowledgeable.

James

[T1]

This is a dismounted officer.  Identifying features are: he is wearing a Sam Browne belt with two braces; what appears to be an infantry sword; he has no spurs.

His leather gaiters ('Stohwasser' gaiters) were almost exclusively worn with khaki uniforms.  I would think the most likely explanation is that he was a member of one of the Militia battalions that were sent overseas wearing scarlet uniforms, during the Boer war.  Photographs typically show these units wearing their colourful home service uniforms with all the acoutrements (including khaki helmets) usually worn with khaki uniforms.

Badge could be West Surrey Regiment?

[scrimnet]

Nom de guerre 

Anyway, on the pic...

The leggings are not quite Stowasser...

http://www.lawranceordnance.com/khaki_and_green/clothing_ww1/leggings.php

They are "normal" leather gaiters...

As for the uniform...yes double braced Sam Browne, with ammo pouch and 1897ptn inf sword.

It is I believe a scarlet patrol jkt introduced in 1890 and was replaced in 1902...The hat is the Field Service Cap introduced in 1893, the Sam Browne for all officers in 1900...So mid to end of Boer War is a good point to start with...

The collar dog, for the QRWS was changed from a block scroll at the bottom to a curved one in 1898...The volunteer units had no scroll....Officers had a silver version

No sign of any medal ribbons...

I think he may be a regular, and we may place the date betwixt 1901-2 prior to the advent of the frock coat, and pocketless  scarlet tunic

[jennigal923]

Scrimnet, thank you for looking at the picture.

I wonder, while I am sure you cannot definitely say for sure that this would be the correct person, would the following description of a relative killed in the Boer War fit what this gentleman is wearing?

Robert Nesbitt Fowler,: Killed in the Anglo Boer War FOWLER - Lieutenant Robert Nesbitt - 16th Lancers Wounded at Calvinia, 25th Feb. 1902. Died next day. Aged 26. Son of R.D. Fowler, of Liverpool. Born March 1875