Help required to identify uniform please!

[Katharine75]

Hi all. Hoping someone might be able to throw some light on this photograph. I am thinking his last name is MORROW and first name is possibly Isaac, but not certain.

My ancestors were located in Donegal, Ireland (Drumholme Parish/Ballintra area) and NSW Australia. Given the stripe on the pants I am thinking it could be in the 1860s. Thanks, Katharine.

[JJen]

There are Service records available on Find My Past for an Isaac Morrow -

Isaac Morrow
Birth year - 1819
Birth parish - Drumhome
Birth town   Ballintra
Birth county - Donegal
Birth country - Ireland
Service number - 1475
Regiment - 64th Reg Of Foot
Attestation - 14 May 1838
Another record shows his regiment as 64th (The 2nd Staffordshire) Regiment Of Foot.

Could this be your man? Can't help identifying the uniform, however there are some experts on this board who may help you further.

JJ

[John915]

Good afternoon,

He is wearing spurs and cavalry style overalls, also carrying a heavy sabre. This would indicate a cavalry regt but I don't know of any who wore that style of helmet. I can't see any regimental or rank insignia of any sort.

John915

[Regorian]

I agree, he was cavalry and probably 1860's. 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons most likely. I've not seen that helmet design before either. 

[KGarrad]

6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons saw service in India (Indian Mutiny, 1857) and the Anglo-Zulu War (1879).

So the helmet could be a "tropical" pith helmet? Maybe?!

[Regorian]

It's certainly tropical, still of unrecognised design. Maybe early 1870's. The helmet was otherwise introduced in 1878 with tropical version, copied from the German pickelhaube and copied by U.S. Army from our version, remember film 'Zulu', same pattern worn by infantry and cavalry.

[Katharine75]

Thanks for fantastic replies. I just need to work out how he fits into family!

[Regorian]

I don't know whether this helps or hinders:-

1861 Census.

Hanley, Stoke upon Trent, Wellington. 42, -?- Hall Street.

Isaac 40 clark (looks like) bn Scotland
Maria 37 bn Hanley, Staffs.
Isaac 7 scholar bn E. India, Bengall (sic)

Now, your pic. could be 1859, 1860. Uniforms changed 1857 from tailed coats to longish skirted coats (not this one) and then to the length in the pic. by or in 1860. Helmet remains a mystery. Son proves they were in India c1854.

[Regorian]

Any luck placing Isaac and Maria Morrow in your family? Good name, uncommon. I notice from your other posts, Scotland and Staffordshire are mentioned. I can't follow up with an 1871 census entry for them, perhaps they emigrated to Australia in the 1860's. Can't guarantee Isaac was in the charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava as only two Squadrons involved, but worth following up.