19th Century Uniform ID Please

[shorts]

My Grandmother left this photo stating it was of her Grandfather - John Cross (1844 - 1911) from Dursley Gloucestershire. No idea whether the uniform is military! 

[Jebber]

He is wearing Army uniform but his badge is not visible enough to tell what Regiment.

[Ashtone]

Shorts - have you checked Find My past to see if there's a military record for him? That would confirm his regiment, etc.

I did a quick check on FindMyPast, but only see records for a John Cross, born 1888 in Dursley. Could this JC be his son? His occupation was butcher when he enlisted in 1909. Briefly served in India, but was discharged from the army after a year or two. Discharge reason: "Insane".

Could the chap in the photo be a brother of the John Cross born in 1844? Or possibly his father?
To me, the photo has a curious feel of the 1850s-1860s. 

Is JC (born 1844) missing from any of the 1861-1881 census reports? That would also confirm if he was in the army and possibly serving overseas.

[Neale1961]

A pity we cannot see the cap better. I wonder if it could be an American civil war uniform?

[John915]

Good morning,

He is wearing a militia uniform, possibly Scottish from the headwear. Mid to late 1800s. Pity thebelt buckle is not clearer as it will have the regt on it.

John915

Added, the black buttons show him to be a rifle regt. So Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) militia battalion would be zgood starting point. Post 1881.

[shorts]

Some background info on John Cross accumulated to date:

1851 - Census: Very likely him but not 100% certain. Aged 6 Boulton Land, Dursley. Living with Grandmother (Hester Cross - Widow aged 64) and Mother, (Hannah aged 29) & Uncle, William (aged 16).
1861 - Census: No Trace
1863 - Banns Reg. In December.
1864 -  Marriage Cert - 21st Feb. Aged 19. No Father recorded.
1866 - 1879. Various Bpt records show residing in Slade Lane.
1871 - Census. Aged 26, Occp: Labourer in Rope wks. Slade Lane, Dursley. 5 children
1879 - 1891. Various records state occupation = Sexton.
1881 - Census: Aged 36, Broadwell, Dursley.Occp: Wool Weaver - cloth.
1882 - Wife died.
1885 - 8th Aug. Dursley. Aged 41. Re-married to Elizabeth Llewellyn. No Father details.
1891 - Census: Age 47 residing at Bowers Court, Dursley.  Sexton. 
1901 - Census. Aged 57. Silver St, Dursley (next to Star Inn). (With 4 children from 2nd marriage)
1911 - Census. In Dursley Workhouse. Marr 25 yrs. 5 children (all living - this seems to only relate to his 2nd marriage)
1911 - Death. Dursley Parish Reg - Buried 12th July age 66

[shorts]

Shorts - have you checked Find My past to see if there's a military record for him? That would confirm his regiment, etc.

I did a quick check on FindMyPast, but only see records for a John Cross, born 1888 in Dursley. Could this JC be his son? His occupation was butcher when he enlisted in 1909. Briefly served in India, but was discharged from the army after a year or two. Discharge reason: "Insane".

Could the chap in the photo be a brother of the John Cross born in 1844? Or possibly his father?
To me, the photo has a curious feel of the 1850s-1860s. 

Is JC (born 1844) missing from any of the 1861-1881 census reports? That would also confirm if he was in the army and possibly serving overseas.
[/quote]

In total, John Cross had 11 children with his 1st Wife (his 3rd daughter Hester born 1867 being my Gt GM) and 5 with his 2nd. The first child born in 1886 to his 2nd wife was a John Cross and was stated to be 14 & residing with his Father in the 1901 census.  Having now looked for John Cross (the son) in the 1911 census I find he was also in the Dursley Workhouse - aged 25 and stated to be a Butcher.  I think therefore that the John Cross b1888 you refer to would appear to be one and the same person so I will certainly follow up on that - thanks very much for the lead.

Regarding JC senior, the fact that there appears to be no trace of him in the 1861 census may suggest he was 'away' at that time. I guess the likelihood would be that he was in the 'services' around the early 1860's - although that would age him around 17 - 20, and he looks older that that in the photo!!