John Sweeney was photographed c1850 by David Octavius Hill, the original photo being accompanied by a note informing us that he was known as ’T.T.’ from having always been lacking in teetotalism. His undress uniform is of interest as it differs from the dress jacket order of dress worn by the other five subjects in a series of copy photos on display at Edinburgh Castle. The white shell jacket was worn in drill order by the rank and file. Senior NCOs and officers were entitled to have a red shell jacket. He has a red stripe on each sleeve to denote his rank, and there is another chevron just visible on his right forearm which is a good conduct stripe. He wears trews and has a dirk hanging on his left side, from a waist belt. The glengarry cap differs from that worn by the other soldiers in this series in that the regimental badge does not have 79 beneath it, and is placed on a black silk rectangle in the style worn by officers.
