Help what uniform is this & year if possible

[VAD54]

Hi

This is a photograph of my Grandfather, Frederick Tomsett he was born in 1859 in Fletching, Sussex, England.

Does anyone know what uniform this is.  Does the sentry box behind him give any clues to where it is likely to have been taken and perhaps which year?

Thanks

[km1971]

Any chance of a hi-res scan of his right arm? A short musket and sword were carried by senior NCOs at one time. Or they may have been used by the Private on guard. Most barracks would have had sentry boxes at the gates.

A high-res scan of the collar would help as well.

Is the picture reversed? The tunic looks as if it is buttoned right over left.

Ken

[VAD54]

The picture I have is the same and is not reversed.  Not sure how to do a close up of the arm and collar; will try and work that out, but the photo is not that clear.

V

[VAD54]

Have scanned picture again at higher res., but not sure how to get close up of collar or arm.  Have put in a request for help on photo restoration forum.

V

[grandarog]

Hi V,
         If it is Frederick, the photo must have been taken after 1891 ( it appears much older.)

        Are you sure it is Frederick Thompsett?

        Frederick is shown as a civillian on the 1881 and 1891 census,s .

        On the 1881 he is shown as age 22 born 1859

        On the1891 he is shown as age 28  born 1863. With his wife Mary born 1870 Wivelsfield Sussex.

       I cant find either him or Mary in 1901, so could well have been abroad if he was in the the Army!!

                                                                                Regards Rog.

[John Young]

He could be a volunteer artilleryman, so could well account for him being a civilian, rather than a soldier.

The grenade (as that's is what it appears to me.) was added to the collar in 1880 for regular & volunteer R.A. units.

This in turn would account for the carbine & sword bayonet.

Isandlwana

[VAD54]

Hi Rog

It is Frederick Tomsett, its the only photo my Dad had of him.

As you say he is listed as a civilian in the 1881, 1891 and also 1901 census as living in Portslade Sussex so not sure when or where photo was taken and there is no other information on him either.

There is no one around now who can give me anymore information either.


Rgds

V

[km1971]

There was a brigade of the Militia Artillery (Cinque Ports Division) with headquarters in Lewes, which is not too far away.

Ken

[Bilge]

I tend to agree with Isandlawana that he is probally Garrison artillery, although the collar tags don't look correct, the rifle is almost certainly a Martini-Henry the weapon having been specially developed for Artillery troops being less cumbersome than others.

Here is a link with the rifles in question:
http://www.martinihenry.com/carbines.htm