Help Identify Uniform

[alan o]

The lozenge badge on his arm is a Volunteer Battalion badge for efficiency I think.  This confirms the Volunteer ID.  The cap is very much turn of the century and mactches the dates for the tunic.

[westdale]

Splendid. Many thanks to all for your input 
Given the date, this is Northwich, Cheshire.

[John915]

Good afternoon,

The belt looks to have the Prince of Wales feathers in the centre not the corn sheave of the volunteers.

The Cheshires being the 22nd foot had 2 battalions so were not amalgamated under the Cardwell reforms. Their badge centre was an acorn and oak leaves.

But they gained more battalions in 1881 one of which was the 1st Cheshire light infantry militia and their badge centre was the Prince of Wales feathers. Militia were part time volunteers who normally only served within the UK but could sign up for foreign service if needed.

John915

[alan o]

Militia were not volunteers but signed up for periods of the year with the militia Bn as paid emplyment.  The lozenge is a VB and not a militia badge. 

[km1971]

You're both right. Militia and Regulars were volunteers (small v). But the tunic is not Militia as they retained some braid work around the cuff.

The 22nd Rifle Volunteer Corps were raised in Northwich. They became part of 3rd Volunteer Battalion in the late 1880s. Cheshire miltary museum provide a research service that may be able to tell you the uniform of the 3rd VBs.

Ken

[westdale]

Again, many thanks.