Strange but true

[Lady Di]

Hi All,

I feel rather silly and I know this shouldn't be happening but I just can't fix this photo (I keep doing something stupid and have come to hate the pic  ).

I THINK (something I couldn't do  ) it was taken about 1889 - but obviously I may be wrong (it's been known to happen  )

Would someone/anyone please clean, tidy, colour or whatever you fancy.

Muchly appreciation
Di
 

[PrueM]

Hello Lady Di 
How could you hate such a gorgeous picture!    (I know what you mean, though  )
Here are a couple of quickies from me.  Not sure on the date - could very well be 1889 but there's nothing to really pin it down, unless some  uniform experts can get something out of his clobber.
Prue 

[Euro]

Here's another one for your collection. 

Colin.

[Lady Di]

Thank you Prue and Colin - great work as usual.

Prue, I don't REALLY hate it - I was just SO frustrated and it just got worse the more I tried 

And now I don't have to worry any more   

Many thanks

Di

PS - Thanks also for not shooting me down in flames about the date - there had to be a first time that I MAY be right 

[old rowley]

Hi Di,

my first thoughts were that the "uniform" could be a child's copy of those used by the yeomanry forces during the Boer War period. However what has become known as the First Boer War was fought between December 1880 and March 1881, whilst the Second Boer War was between 1899 and 1902. It could still be a copy of a yeomanry uniform from the time period that you have suggested though so I woudn't give up hope on getting a Gold Star for your dating just yet.

old rowley

[Lady Di]

Thanks OR,

Thanks for the "almost" vote of confidence 

I think the pic was taken in OZ but the backdrop doesn't look Australian, although the hat does. Could it just be a school cadet uniform (if they had them in the late 1800's  ) I believe he lived in Melbourne at the time so anything is possible 

Much appreciated

Di

[old rowley]

Hi Di,

School cadet force's have been around for some time, for instance here in the UK the Eton College Rifle Corps was formed in the 1860's, whilst Harrow School had it's own cadet corps which were stated in 1859. In Australia you had the St Marks Collegiate School, Sydney which had its 1st school cadets formed in 1866, when the school became The King's School in 1869 a new cadet force was formed.
However the oldest cadet force that I can find any reference to is that of Scotch College School Cadet Force from  Melbourne which is the oldest military unit in Australia and even predates the Australian Army. Sadly I can not find a date for the cadets forming.

old rowley

[cazza59]

Hi Di

Here's my go.

Cazza

[cazza59]

And a variation..

Cazza