Michael NA

Boer War Example 2:

Boer War Example:

Stuart: I have group photos with Pith helmets but they are next to trains. If this is satisfactory, can post. Michael

Stuart: Good piece of detective work. I have been watching prices of the various examples of helmets. Quite a price range. Lots of post-1900 examples and I see that there are 3/4 or 1/2 size examples presumably made for collectors although one description indicated it was a retirement award to an officer. Michael

Laurence: Thank you. Makes sense in the context. Michael

I am doing some research regarding the Royal Irish Fusiliers during the 1956-57 campaign in Kenya and have come across a few references to the regiment receiving the "Freedom of Nairobi in perpetuity" ( "the first and so far the only time that a British Regiment has been so honoured by a colonial city"). I tried a google search and a search of some medal dealer site and did not turn up anything helpful. Is this a medal, certificate or some other type of award. Thank you in advance. Michael

Eric: Thank you for clearing this up. So, I am back to having this as a confirmed image of McNab in 1854 given that he was the only member of the 42nd prior to the Crimea to have a medal-Long Service Good Conduct. I was also just looking at some dress information for some cavalry regiments and will now go back and double check to see whether they are Officers or ORs. My friend who confirmed that the 42nd wore single breasted prior to the Crimea, felt that the first image was a Hussar but with the many militia/yeomanry as well as regular army units it would not be possible to confirm unless you had a full photo of the uniform. So, he might be militia/yeomanry with a combination of features common to regular army uniforms. Michael

Stuart: Other than 1846, would the next set of DR's be 1855? Michael

I am advised that the double breasted doublet came in about 1855/6 and was worn only for a short time as the buttons caused so much damage to the material. Either side of this period single breasted doublets would be standard for Highland Regiments. So, an image in 1854 of should be in single breasted doublet. I find in my material the attached image of the 42nd in 1852. Hard to see the uniform details but would appear to be single breasted. If anyone has dress regulations from the early 1850's should be able to confirm. Thanks.

What do you make of this one. Seller's description: "A very scarce Georgian Blandford volunteer cavalry Roman type helmet, this was a troop of the Dorset Yeomanry, this helmet was based on the 1822 cavalry helmet but with a comb similar to the 1912 pattern. The helmet has probably had the scull and sweat band replaced, But as far as I can tell all other parts are original. A nice helmet that displays well in a good restored condition." Michael

Stuart, thank you for the comments. I do see the pith style helmets from time to time and will watch for the rubber or cork spacers. Michael

Found an image of the 42nd with the double breasted tunic and the Crimea medal. So, will have to do more research on the Long Service and who might have received one in the 1854-1860 period. Michael

I have added the full image of the 42nd as there might be other details to confirm whether the full uniform suggests 1856. Michael

Eric: If I recall correctly, the Crimea medals were first shipped to the Crimea in 1855. The image of the 42nd above shows a no clasp medal which appears to be the Long Service Good Conduct, which was issued to McNab in May, 1854 just before the Regiment left for the Crimea. I don't think this is an image taken while in the Crimea so that eliminates June to December of 1854, all of 1855 and to the middle of 1856 when the Regiment returned to the UK. As McNab was discharged in 1857 there is a very small window for the image to have been taken. For this to be McNab (who was the only decorated other rank in 1854) it must be either May 1854 before the Regiment left for the Crimea or sometime after and before he received his second medal, the Crimea. If the jacket is 1856, then I am not sure why it does not show both the earlier Long Service medal and the new Crimea medal. Bit of a puzzle. I think I will go back and double check how many of the 42nd would have a Long Service Good Conduct medal during the period 1854 to 1860. Michael Thank you Stuart.

The type of process used and how the image was prepared might affect how colours are represented. If the image of the soldier in the light jacket is an "ambrotype" vs an image on paper, then it is my understanding that a dark jacket might appear light. See below: