Regiment photo in junk shop

[dizzi]

I found this in a Sussex junk shop at the weekend
sorry not a good scan but too large for my scanner

[John915]

Good evening Dizzi,

Is it possible to blow up the bottom left portion of the photo and post the result. You need the first 6 in the front row, no5 is looking right so if we can get a clear look at his cap badge we may be able to ID them. Looking at the cuffs I suspect they are militia or Volunteers but not positive.

John915

There also appears to be some writing along the bottom, are you able to read it?

[dizzi]

Sorry  problems with photo editor and cant read it
will try to get another scan elsewhere

[dizzi]

trouble posting cropped copy
changed title as message said but evertime i try to post site rejects it

[dizzi]

try again

[dizzi]

At last
hope this is okay best i can do

[John915]

Good evening Dizzi,

Well done for trying but still can't see badges clearly so no ID on regt yet. I think certainly militia and pre WW1 as medals look like Boer war or earlier. Possibly taken on their return from war. Several marksmen among them including the portly sergeant in the front row.
Will have to wait and see who else picks up on this post for more brain power on the job.

John915

[macintosh]

Their collar badges look like a fusil or grenade which perhaps signifes a Fusilier regiment, there are some with crossed sword and crossed swords and crown above chevrons could this mean Physical Training Instructors trade badge?  maybe they were in what was the forerunner of the Royal  Army Physical Training Corps or could they be trade badges in swordsmanship i.e. a  cavalry or yeomanry regiment, I think they are recently returned from South Africa or have had some involvement with Queen Victoria's State funeral,
 The cut of the Officers trouser bottoms suggest mounted but that hardly means anything as infantry officers rode horses then.
It may even be taken in India and pre dates the Boer War

James

[Keitht]

All attempts to post a large version of the six men requested are being thwarted by the resulting file size but maybe just a couple of individuals will help.

Keith