Photo from Co. Down in Northern Ireland - Unidentified Uniform

[OzKat]

Thanks very much Chris.
I'll definitely be following up the reference.
Kath

[Christopher]

Hiya Kath,

Sorry, That guy is not wearing a whip or a riding
crop. It is too long. I am sure it is a polo stick..
I think that is the correct term.  His helmet has a
fancy braid decoration. Does anyone know, did
the old polo hekmets have a spike

I googled for helmets and found all sorts including
a motot cycle helmet for a dog. Does a dog, who
has a licence already, need another licence to ride
a motorcycle What is a dog doing on a motor
cycle in the first instance Can you not be
prosecuted for taking your dog on your pillion
It would be dangerous enough in a sidecar

All the Best, Chris 

[PrueM]

Hi Chris,
I don't think that's a polo mallett - they are about 50 inches long and much heavier, and there's no actual head on the one he's holding.  I think it's some kind of riding whip.  Also I don't think polo helmets ever (officially) had a spike like that on top - they were pith helmet shaped though, in the past.
Just to add that I know absolutely NOTHING about military garb but I'm sure that's not polo gear 
Prue

[harribobs]

unless i'm very much mistaken ( has been known) thats a tropical version of the Home Service (blue cloth) helmet

i can't find a pic of the white version ( which was lighter) but this is the blue ( home) version, the 'braid' is the chin strap

[Christopher]

Hi Chris,
I don't think that's a polo mallett -
they are about 50 inches long and much heavier,
and there's no actual head on the one he's holding. 
I think it's some kind of riding whip. 
Also I don't think polo helmets ever (officially) had
a spike like that on top - they were pith helmet
shaped though, in the past.
Just to add that I know absolutely NOTHING about
military garb but I'm sure that's not polo gear 
Prue

Hiya Prue,

harribobs thinks the helmet is tropical.
That stick is too long to be some kind
of riding whip. How about a billiards or
snooker cue. Billiards was a popular game
in the tropics. The game was originally
started in India.

Best Wishes, Chris

[PrueM]

Hello Chris 

I agree it's a bit long for a standard riding whip...what's that on the top end?  Is that the photo going funny or a little switch on the end of a solid cane?  If it's a switch then it still could be a riding whip, just an old-fashioned one.  I don't know what they used to use on those days (whenever "those days" were).  It reminds me, actually, of a driving whip, or a buggy whip - longer in the shaft, with a switch on the end.  Not sure if he would  have thought that was fancy enough to pose with...?

It's very fine for a billiard (etc) cue - but not out of the question, for sure!

Prue

[ericx]

Hi
Just thought I would add my twopennyworth.
1) He has a stripe on his left arm. (Lance Corporal)?
2) He has a white strip down side of tunic. (Dress tunic)?
3) Cane he is holding has what looks like an engraved knob. (Non-commisioned officers very often had these.?
First instinct would be army.
Regards Ericx

[PrueM]

I made the picture a bit smaller and cleaned it up a little - not sure if it helps to determine anything?  There's a bit of loss of detail in the original, which I couldn't do anything about unfortunately 
Prue

[harribobs]

you're getting much too technical with your file names Prue 

unknown-soldier-pointy-hat.jpg