Lieutenant c1863

The regiment sailed to New Zealand in 1863 and this lieutenant was probably photographed before the trip. His tunic is the pattern worn from 1856 to 1868 which was recognisable from the slash cuffs, blue with a gold lace edge and white piping. The rank of lieutenant was indicated with a single star badge on each side of the blue collar. He has the old style officer's full crimson sash on his left shoulder and holds a shako of the 1861-69 pattern. The ball tuft is white with a red base supported by a gilt socket. The whole regiment wore this colour after 1862 when flank companies were abolished. After 1869 Royal regiments had an all-red tuft.