This is a detail from a photo of A Troop, taken in front of the Royal Pier Hotel, Ryde, Isle of Wight. The Troop commander, a captain, stands out in front with the Troop Sergeant Major behind him and a subaltern to his right. The whole photo shows 24 troopers lined up. They all have the blue tunic issued in 1884 or 1885. There are white leather pouch-belts on their left shoulder and canvas haversack straps on their right shoulder. The officers have dress pouch-belts but no haversack. The men have a single white lace pointed cuff ornament, but the officers have two silver lace points traced with silver braid. The captain may have more braid than the lieutenant but it is difficult to determine in this photo. The white metal helmets have gilt or brass spikes on top, the officers’ spikes slightly taller than the mens’. There were no plumes worn on the helmet until the mid-1890s. The Hampshire Yeomanry adopted a special method of plaiting the white head-rope on both the mens’ and the officers’ bridles.
