Private, Dress c1860

This photo of a private of the Earl of Chester’s Yeomanry illustrates the transition period in which the regiment was evolving from light dragoons to hussars. This lasted from c1856 to 1863. The tunic worn in this photo replaced the waist-length jacket, around 1856, a year after the regular regiments made the change. But the old shako was retained until 1863 when the new special pattern busby was adopted. In the regular cavalry regiments the light dragoons changed to a tunic that at first glance was similar to the hussars but the cord frogging across the chest was in five rows instead of six. Another difference was that the light dragoons had their facing colour showing on the cuffs as well as the collar. The Cheshire Yeomanry chose to adopt this light dragoon tunic, which they retained throughout the rest of their existence even after they took on the busby and added the word (Hussars) to their title. The officers’ version of this transition stage uniform can be seen in the portrait of the 2nd Lord de Tabley.
What is unusual here is the white cord Austrian knot on the sleeves, which has two extra loops in the manner of the heavy cavalry at the time. The rest of the cording is white and forms five rows across the chest, and follows the back seams, with two Austrian knots on the back skirts. The tunic is dark blue with red collar and cuffs. He has a white patent leather pouch-belt which has a black leather pouch, just visible under his right arm. The shako has a white worsted lace band around the top and a white metal badge showing the Prince of Wales plume badge, also the symbol of the Earl of Chester as they were the same person. His cap-lines are yellow and worn around the shako, finishing up hooked to his second button. The black horsehair plume is inserted into a white metal plume holder and stands upright for 5 inches before falling to almost the base of the shako. There is no visible waist-belt as this was worn beneath the tunic, with slings to hold his sword scabbard. The rest of the uniform consisted of blue trousers with a double white stripe down the outside.

Regimental Details | Cheshire Yeomanry Uniforms