Old soldier ?

[Seoras]

Could anyone enlighten me on this photo.Is it an old soldier or militia or just an old chap in fancy dress,I have no idea.Thanks for your help in advance.If it's any help it is dated 1879 and was taken in Wisbech,Lincolnshire.

[mmm45]

Hes definately a British Soldier I think a member of Volunteer Battalions but its not my subject im sure one of the experts will answer your question fully

Ady

[Seoras]

Thanks Ady,I am puzzled by the 4 stripes and what the stars on his sleeve mean.

That seems quite a distinctive badge on his cap.

[km1971]

Volunteer Rifles as it is before they became battalions of a regular regiment.

Four chevrons plus a star indicate Quarter Master. The other stars are for five years service.

Wisbech is in Cambridgeshire and the 2nd Cambridgeshire Rifle Volunteer Corps were raised at Wisbech in 1860. The local record office may be able to confirm.

Ken

[Seoras]

Thanks Ken,geography was one of my best subjects at school,honest .Thank you for that information,I will do a bit of Googling now.I think it's a great photo,lots of character.

Just one more question Ken.Is it the stars above the stripes that denote quartermaster and each one below the stripes denote 5 years service,is that correct.

George.

[km1971]

Yes - star over four chevrons is his rank badge - it's on both arms, and the three stars below, and just on the right arm, are for five years each.

There is a badge on his left arm between braidwork and stripes. It could be a musket. If that is another star above it means 'best shot'. Without a star it means he has passed as a marksman.

The cap badge is a powder horn, used by light infantry and 'rifles'.

Any idea what his name was?

Ken

[Neohet]

Just for information, quotes from "Wisbech and the Fenlands" website:

"Wisbech is the capital of the English Fens and the town itself sits on both sides of the river Nene, which forms the border between the counties of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Nine miles north on the western bank of the river Nene is the border between the counties of Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire."

"To do genealogy research for the Wisbech region, you may find that you may have to check the genealogical records for three different counties. They are Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Lincolnshire. There are differences in the way the original genealogical records were recorded for each County. In this present day, there are differences in the way the genealogical records can be found, either being through the various Public Record Offices, Genealogical Societies, or Genealogical Web-sites."

Great picture BTW. Wish I had some like that of any of my relies.

Regards,
Matt T.

[genechaser]

Take a look at this site.

http://www.suffolkregiment.org/Cambridgeshire_History.html

[Seoras]

Thanks Neohet and genechaser.Ken I don't know his name but looking at the date of formation 1860 and this being circa 1879 and three stars he is quite likely an original member of the corps.