Rough Rider SSM c1898


This photo of a Squadron Sergeant Major was taken at some time before the Boer War when the 14th Hussars were stationed in Ireland. Between the years 1894 and 1899 they were at Cahir, Dublin and Newbridge. The tunic he wears is an undress blue frock with shoulder chains. This chain mail was worn by regiments in India during the latter half of the 19th century but did not become part of the home service cavalry uniform until the late 1890s. One of his silver hawk collar badges is clearly visible but the badges on his right arm are the items of greater interest. Unfortunately the cropping of the photo has obscured the details but we can see that he has three gold lace stripes, and above them is the regimental NCO's arm badge of a silver oval with a gilt hawk. Above that is a gold embroidered spur badge to indicate that he is a riding instructor. And at the top of the sleeve is the embroidered Victorian crown. His pill-box forage cap has the wide gold lace cap-band in a diagonal lace pattern.


Regimental Details | Uniforms


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by Stephen Luscombe