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General => Armed Forces => Topic started by: Paul51 on Tuesday 25 August 20 16:14 BST (UK)

Title: William Quick late 1800s Identification of Uniform
Post by: Paul51 on Tuesday 25 August 20 16:14 BST (UK)
This is a picture of my grandfather, William Quick. I know almost nothing about him and would like to know if anyone recognises the uniform. I have been told that a similar uniform has some relation to Indian wars (I assume that's a war in India and does not have a cowboy connection).
I would greatly appreciate any help or insight.
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 26 August 20 00:08 BST (UK)
Hi Paul,

Welcome to Rootschat.

We can check military records for you. The photo looks 1880's -1890's so may be a bit older than you think. When and where was your grandfather born?
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s
Post by: Paul51 on Wednesday 26 August 20 09:31 BST (UK)
Thank you for the response. I'm having difficulty tracing him but I believe he was born in the Midlands and I had thought it was around 1890 but may well have been earlier. I don't think it was much before 1880 though as my grandmother was born in 1900 and that makes a 20 year age gap.
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s
Post by: ShaunJ on Wednesday 26 August 20 10:35 BST (UK)
I would think he was probably a member of a militia unit - a part time volunteer. Knowing more about him might help.

Perhaps we can get this thread moved to the Armed Forces board.

I've cropped the picture to make it easier to view.
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s Identification of Uniform
Post by: T1 on Wednesday 26 August 20 13:43 BST (UK)
This is the uniform of an English or Welsh infantry regiment that did not have a 'Royal' title (if it did, the collar and cuffs would be dark blue instead of white).  This basic pattern was worn between 1881 and 1902, but based on the cap and the cut of the jacket, I would say this dates from approx 1895 to 1902.

At this time, regular (full time) soldiers were often photographed in their 'walking out' uniform, which was specifically for leaving barracks.  This consisted of the cap (as seen here) and best tunic.  This man is wearing his 'undress' frock in place of the tunic, which was common for the militia who did not have tunics so used the frock for full dress and working dress.  Another feature suggesting he is a militiaman is the absence of a moustache, which was required for regular soldiers (although it may just be that he could not grow one!)

Therefore I agree with Shaun he's probably in the Militia.  Note there were 2 part-time forces at this time - the (paid) militia and (unpaid) volunteers.  William specifically looks like he is in the militia rather than the volunteer force.

(Note, from this photo alone you cannot be certain that he was not a regular - they had undress frocks, they just tended not to get studio photographs in them)
T
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s Identification of Uniform
Post by: Paul51 on Wednesday 26 August 20 21:06 BST (UK)
Thank you everyone for the amazingly swift and informative replies. At least I can now focus my search a little better.
Title: Re: William Quick late 1800s Identification of Uniform
Post by: Paul51 on Wednesday 26 August 20 21:45 BST (UK)
If this a military uniform then it is most likely to be the South Staffordshire Regiment as I am fairly certain, after some more searching, that he was born and lived in and around Wolverhampton.