Peachy Carnehan

Mr. G. Wright, Cape Mounted Rifles, South African Constabulary, New Zealand Expeditionary Force, c. 1900

Wright is pictured here probably while still a member of the Cape Mounted Rifles.

Wright had very extensive military career as outlined on the reverse of these two photographs by a F. R. Bree who was personally acquainted with Wright.

His campaign highlights included:

Mashonaland with the Cape Mounted Rifles

South Africa (Boer War) with the South African Constabulary

World War I (1914-18) with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force

According to F. R. Bell, Wright later lived in North Walsham, Norfolk and died sometime in the 1960's. Bell also mentioned having been given Wright's medal group by his widow. Unfortunately that medal group became separated from the photographs during the intervening years. That medal group would have been quite impressive.

Sergeant G. Wright, (seated, center) South African Constabulary is pictured here with two other unidentified sergeants of the Constabulary. Wright's four chevron stripes surmounted by a crown would seem to indicate that he held the rank of Troop Sergeant-Major if the Constabulary followed the ranking system used by the regular British cavalry at the time.

Mr. Bell's note of the reverse of the above photo.

This photograph shows an unidentified sergeant of the Royal Engineers who - based upon his head dress - seems to have been attached to an regiment of the Indian Army. Under magnification the R.E. badge is clearly visibly on his shoulder strap

The twio ribbons on his tunis look to be that for the India General Service Medal and possibly the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.

Hello Peachy,

Cracking photos, please keep them coming if you have more.

I don't know anything about Victorian soldiers and only have some family photos from around the turn of the century as well as one I bought recently probably from the 1870s at a guess, of an unidentified soldier.

Are the first two photos named on the reverse or are they family? The last photo is just great, was it normal for The King's African Rifles not to wear boots?.

Tony

Tony,

Yes. both of the first two photographs are identified with period inscritptions on their reverse side. I almost alwasy try to find photos that or identified like that and then attempt th research the sitter, Of course when I come across a really nice - though unidentifed - image like the KAR sergeant I'll still try to get my hands on it simply because it is a great snap shot of history.

Here are a few photographs from my collection.

The first cabinet photo c.1890 shows Mr H. Garland in the uniform of an officer or senior NCO of the Natal Mounted Rifles. As a trooper in the Victoria Mounted Rifles, Garland was Mentioned in Despatches for actions at Eshowe during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. He wears the 1877-79 South Africa Medal (which is often referred to as the Zulu War Medal) with the single clasp awarded for that war. The Natal Mounted Rifles were formed in 1888 from several Zulu War-era volunteer units including the Victoria Mounted Rifles, the Stanger Mounted Rifles, the Alexandra Mounted Rifles and the Durban Mounted Rifles.

This second cabinet photograph from 1894 shows Sergeant W. Armstorng of the Shanghai Volunteer Corps. The photo was probably taken while Armstrong was visiting family in England.

And finally for this post is a fine unmounted photograph c. 1905 of a much decorated sergeant of The King's African Rifles. This man probably served with the 2nd Battalion, Central African Rifles prior to this units amalgamation into the King's African Rifles in 1902. He wears four campaign medals the first of

which is the Central Africa Medal w/ bar "Central Africa 1894-98" earned as a member of the Central African Rifles, nesx the East & West Africa Medal 1887-1900. Only issued without a bar for the M'wele campaign of 1895-96, third the Ashanti Medal 1900 with bar "Kumassi". Both bns.of the KAR were represented at the capture of Kumassi and finally the Africa General Service Medal 1902-06 w/ unknown bar. Even at this late date he is still armed with and early mark Martini-Henry rifle.