Cornet, Stable Dress c1867

The rank of cornet was the lowest officer rank in the cavalry but that term was discontinued in 1871 and replaced by sublieutenant. The rank of cornet was indicated with a star badge at this time, but only on the dress tunic. In undress such as the stable dress seen here, only field officers showed rank badges. The stable jacket has simple gold braid decoration and gold olivet buttons down the front. It was worn with dress trousers and this early photo reveals that the waist-belt and slings for the sword and undress sabretache are dress belts, gold with a central crimson stripe like the pouchbelt. The officer looks rather mature to be a cornet but this is because he is a man who has risen through the ranks and been granted a commission having reached the highest level of non-commissioned rank. He is in fact Riding-Master Willis who was appointed to the 20th Hussars on 27 May 1862. He served with the regiment until 1874.

Regimental Details | Uniforms