Earl of Chester’s Yeomanry, by Simkin 1899

Simkin’s series of prints for the supplements to the Army and Navy Gazette included this one titled Earl of Chester’s Yeomanry Cavalry no.142 published on 7 Oct 1899. The main figure is a captain in review order. His tunic follows the light dragoon pattern rather than the hussar type. The rank of captain was denoted on the cuffs with circlets of silver braid around the cord Austrian knot, the same pattern as used by hussars captains. In hussar regiments, however, captains were also required to have small circlets of braid tracing the bottom of the lace along the top edge of the collar, but light dragoon tunics, which were discontinued in the regular cavalry in 1861, did not have this distinction. The artist seems to have forgotten this fact as there appears to be braid in some kind of figuring on the red collar. The tunic has silver shoulder cords with gold embroidered rank badges. The black fur busby has a white bag which is braided in silver and has a silver gimp button. There are no visible cap lines as these were plaited and draped on the left side of the busby as per regimental distinction. The horse furniture includes a black sheepskin with red scalloped edge, and a white horsehair throat ornament.
The other ranks in the background show both sides of the busby and the short upright white over red plume. They have white patent leather pouch-belts which have a black leather pouch on the back. The swords are the 1890 type with fixed rings and slung from waist-belts worn under the tunic. Regular cavalry regiments were, by this time, keeping the sword attached to the saddle while mounted. They have black sheepskin saddle covers but without the red edge.

Regimental Details | Cheshire Yeomanry Uniforms