Seargeant-Major and Sergeant 1855

The man on the left, receiving a drink is identified in Murray's regimental history as Troop Sergeant-Major Clarke. The other man is Sergeant O'Meara. Clarke's blue cap is clearly shown as having a gold lace band in the shamrock pattern and a small gold braid design on top. Both men are in undress, with gold braided blue jackets and blue trousers that have a yellow stripe (which cannot be seen in early photos such as this).
Clarke's arm badges are of interest because they show four gold chevrons with an embroidered harp above, and embroidered Royal crest above the harp. The Circular Memorandum of 22nd May 1850 laid down rules for NCOs' arm badges. Regimental and Troop Sergeant-Majors of Hussar regiments were to have four gold chevrons and a regimental badge displayed on their pelisse, dress jacket and undress jacket. Sergeants were to have three chevrons and the regimental arm badge on the pelisse and dress jacket only.
The badges for each hussar regiment were specified. The 7th, 11th and 15th were to have a crown only. The 10th was to have a crown and Prince of Wales' Plume, and the 8th to have a crown and harp. It seems that the 8th did not follow the memorandum very closely as they had the Royal crest (lion on crown)instead of the crown. Sergeant O'Meara has the 3 chevrons and no other badges since he is wearing undress uniform.

Uniforms | Regimental details