Identification of Mid 1800's English Uniform (Photo)

[Les de B]

Trying to help out a friend who would like to know what uniform this may be? I was only supplied scant details. Might be able to get further details if required?

Photo of John Ross WATTS b.1838 England and d.1877 New Zealand. Apparently was in the Army during the Indian Mutiny, and when that finished left there and fought in the Maori War of New Zealand - I know he was there in 1868. When the Maori War finished he received a commission as Sub-Inspector in the NZ Armed Constabulary.

It is not known when or where the photo was taken.

Les

[John Young]

Les,

The uniform dates from post-1866, as he is wearing an infantry-pattern patrol jacket that was introduced in that year.

I strongly suspect it is the uniform of the New Zealand Armed Constabulary having seen other officers of that unit wearing a like patrol jacket.

John

[t mo]

hi les
think this is your john ross watts in 1851 cen
j r watts age 15  gentleman cadet sandhurst  born ripple kent
also baptism  for a john ross watts  29 may 1835 deal kent father Stephen ross watts mum mary anne watts .
can,t find jr watts in 1861 cen but not unexpected as he,s no doubt abroad so far can,t find regiment info but will keep looking .
yours
trevor

addition
marriage for Stephen ross watts and mary ann philpott 29 may 1832  walmer , kent
had a look at tna and there is a service record for the royal navy for a Stephen ross watts lieutenant dated 1 june 1819 , you can download it but will cost you £3.36 .
there doesn,t appear to be an army record for j r watts on there though .

[crimea1854]

Not the answer to your question, but just in case your friend does not have the information. Samuel Ross Watts was born 29 Nov 1799, entered the navy in 1810, passed for Lieut in 1819, appointed 29 March 1828. Married Mary Anne, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Charles Philpott, vicar of Ripple, Kent, 29 May 1832. In 1849 they had five children. Retired Commander 1 Oct 1860.

For a full write up of his naval career consult O'Byrnes Naval Biography.

Martin

[Les de B]

Thanks to Martin and Trevor for those extra snippets of information, though Martin I presume Samuel Ross WATTS is a typo?

Thanks to John for pointing me in the right direction regarding the uniform jacket. I checked a few NZ sites, and although there appeared to be a number of different styles of uniform during this time, I did find a few that appeared to be same as worn by John Ross WATTS. I've attached these two to show the comparisons. With Captain Gwynneth, it describes him as being in the Cavalry Volunteers. He carries a sword/sabre similar to WATTS. There was another photo of another officer wearing a similar uniform, he also being a member of a mounted unit.

Les

[crimea1854]

Sorry Les, your quite right it should read Stephen

Martin

[tekooti]

Hi Les
Wearing a patrol jacket, and miniatures for Indian Mutiny and New Zealand medal. Photo probably post 1871. I'm interested in John Ross Watts if your contact has more info. I would be interested. I can find nothing on his Indian service.

[Les de B]

Hi Tekooti - Welcome to RootsChat :-)

I'll send you a Personal Message regarding the John Ross Watts contact in New Zealand.

Les

[t mo]

hi tekooti and my welcome to rootschat as well .
you will need to post twice more to send or receive personal messages  just say hi or something then you,ll be ok .
regards
trevor