Cheshire Regiment but what year and where?

[FROGSMILE]

Parade Order. The officers version of the helmet had a pointed rather than curved front and the edge was bound in gilded brass with a longer tail piece at the back.

[FROGSMILE]

and Slade Wallace belt buckle (with Victorian Crown).

[emz82]

and Slade Wallace belt buckle (with Victorian Crown).

Thanks for posting these, it's hard to grasp sometimes when pics are in black and white, its nice to the colour versions.

[FROGSMILE]

Thanks for posting these, it's hard to grasp sometimes when pics are in black and white, its nice to the colour versions.

It's a pleasure, but I have been unable to find a decent colour picture of the Broderick Cap to show you and hope that another site member can. This group that includes the Brodrick at bottom left (under Royal Marine Artillery) is the best that I can find. In the case of the Cheshire's the red curved patch and piping was white.

[emz82]

A new pic from the collection - http://www.captainjohnson.co.uk/images/WW1_54.jpg

[FROGSMILE]

A new pic from the collection - http://www.captainjo...ages/WW1_54.jpg

This is another great picture of a group of Cheshire Regiment SNCOs probably just before WW1. They are wearing a Blue Patrol uniform that was first introduced as a personal purchase for men cycling/walking out of barracks and which later formed the pattern for a more widespread 'issue' uniform that was used at the Coronations of 1937 and 1953. It is still worn today as No1 Dress Blues and used for investitures and public duties by troops who are not part of the Sovereign's Household Division, such as infantry of the line.

Assuming it is before WW1, the men with 3 stripes surmounted by a crown are either Colour Sergeants, or Company Sergeant Majors, both of whom wore the same badge of rank until 1915. Those with just 3 stripes are of course sergeants. It is notable that in this relaxed situation they are not wearing scarlet sashes, as would normally be the case when on parade, or on duty in other forms of dress. As regards the occasion, it looks like the battalion's annual summer camp under canvas and immediately behind the group appears to be one of the sergeants' mess tents. In the background there are men in SD and at least one seems to be wearing a Broderick Cap, with others wearing peaked forage caps. The date could, ostensibly, be any point between 1906 and 1913.

In the group picture tailoring variations are noticeable in upper pocket flaps and the lower pockets are patch type, whereas later versions were/are inset. The main difference with the original pattern is that the trousers had a quarter inch red stripe down the outside of the leg, whereas since 1937 this has been one inch wide. Also it was common for no collar badge to be worn on the first pattern and again this changed from 1937 on although as always, there are exceptions. The tunic generally has a 'mitred cuff', apart from the pattern worn by the Household Division and Royal Marines. The modern version also has a coloured piping around the edge of the shoulder straps as a last nod towards the tradition of regimental facing colours.

[Muerrisch]

and on the latest group, there are at least three different style pocket flaps! Straight cut, pointy curvy middle, scalloped 3 points.

The RWF LCpl Pioneer with 6 years good conduct is from the RWF museum collection. Note he is doing his blonde best to obey the moustache order. His ribbon is probably the Boxer Rebellion one, which suggests continuous 2nd battalion service as he was 2nd RWF when the portrait was taken. No name I fear.

[FROGSMILE]

and on the latest group, there are at least three different style pocket flaps! Straight cut, pointy curvy middle, scalloped 3 points.

The RWF LCpl Pioneer with 6 years good conduct is from the RWF museum collection. Note he is doing his blonde best to obey the moustache order. His ribbon is probably the Boxer Rebellion one, which suggests continuous 2nd battalion service as he was 2nd RWF when the portrait was taken. No name I fear.

Yes, and in addition to the pocket flap variations one man, at top right, has chosen to go against the grain and wear collar badges!