Author Topic: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)  (Read 1137 times)

Offline jaynes77

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Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« on: Saturday 25 May 19 22:09 BST (UK) »
Hello,

I am hoping that someone can help me to identify this uniform (which I assume is British Army).

The man wearing it is my great-great uncle, George Samuel Smith. He was born in Islington, London, England in 1853 and emigrated to Canada in 1887.

He was a musicien.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Offline stevej60

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #1 on: Saturday 25 May 19 23:21 BST (UK) »
Hello Jaynes,that's a superb photo but doesn't strike a chord as being a British uniform ,gray is not a colour
normally associated with the victorian era although some of the Militia battalion's (the fore runner of the
territorial army) wore gray it's the hat that is unusual and those epulet's which seem very grand.I wonder
if it's a band uniform or maybe Canadian since you say he emigrated there,Anyway now you've posted
hopefully the answer will be forthcoming.
Bland(Chester-le-street) Round(Dudley/Durham)Kirton(Gateshead)
Smith(Gateshead)Littleton(Sacriston)
Wayman(Cambs&Newcastle)Green(Lincs)Smith(bucks)
Watson(Gilling west & Gateshead)

Offline MaxD

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 26 May 19 10:28 BST (UK) »
It was the Rifle Volunteer Corps (also known as Corps of Rifle Volunteers) which existed alongside the militia that, in many cases, had a predominantly grey uniform.  Wiki lists 282 VRC units which had more in common with shooting clubs than the army based militia.

One common distinguishing feature was the Austrian Knot on the cuffs which doesn't seem to be apparent here although uniforms varied quite considerably which often makes identification difficult!

He looks (opinions will differ!!) older than 34 which is when he went to Canada so stevej60's idea that it is a Canadian uniform could well be the case.  Equally, it may not be a military uniform at all but a band uniform made to resemble the military.

I have sent a PM.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline SiGr

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 26 May 19 11:39 BST (UK) »
Hi, are you able to get a close and better resolution of the belt buckle ? That might have text and/or a symbol on it.
(1) Janions of Cheshire, Lancashire, Hawaii, Vancouver and Seattle.
(2) Gregorys of Tarporley, Cheshire.
(3) Pughs of 'The New Pale' near Frodsham and Delamere in Cheshire.
(4) Nevills of Llanelly, Llangennech and Felinfoel.
(5) Yaldens of Ovington/Lovington in Hampshire.


Offline Regorian

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 26 May 19 12:26 BST (UK) »
I don't think it's either British or Canadian. Did he move on to the USA? I found this Link with two very similar uniforms. You will have to scroll down a long way though.

http://temposenzatempo.blogspot.com/2019/
Griffiths Llandogo, Mitcheltroy, Mon. and Whitchurch Here (Also Edwards),  18th C., Griffiths FoD 19th Century.

Offline MaxD

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 26 May 19 15:03 BST (UK) »
A very good spot Regorian, I'd say you are on the mark there!

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline Regorian

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #6 on: Sunday 26 May 19 15:17 BST (UK) »
You said earlier that possibly not a military band. On the second pic. description says possibly a civilian band who played for or with the New York National Guard.

 
Griffiths Llandogo, Mitcheltroy, Mon. and Whitchurch Here (Also Edwards),  18th C., Griffiths FoD 19th Century.

Offline MaxD

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #7 on: Sunday 26 May 19 15:26 BST (UK) »
Beginning to add up!  As New York State borders Canada he may well have played in a band in the US while still living in the land of the round door knobs.

MaxD
I am Zoe Northeast, granddaughter of Maximilian Double.
 
It is with great difficulty I share with you that in the early hours of 07 August 2021, Maximilian passed away unexpectedly but peacefully.

With deep sadness,
Zoe



Double  Essex/Suffolk
Randle/Millington Warwicks
Sokser/Klingler Austria/Croatia

Offline jaynes77

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Re: Help with British Army Uniform (late 1800s)
« Reply #8 on: Sunday 26 May 19 23:51 BST (UK) »
Thank you all for your interesting and helpful replies.

Regorian, thanks for the link to the uniforms. Yes, George's uniform looks very similar to the one of the "second valve trombonist".  Also, it says "The photographer was W. Russell of Albion, New York so we must assume this bandsman was also from somewhere near there. However Albion. is a small village in Orleans County, NY on the Erie Canal about half way between Rochester and Buffalo. It's more likely that his band came from one of those big cities centers."

Interestingly George lived Port Hope, Durham, on Lake Ontario, opposite Buffalo and Rochester. However, looking at the distances it's unlikely that he played for a band in Buffalo or Rochester.

SiGr, will go back to the originator of the picture to see it's possible to get a close up of the belt buckle.