Officers in Mess Dress c1907

The mess dress of the Earl of Chester’s Yeomanry has been described on this page but this group photo provides extra information. For one thing it demonstrates that there was no difference in the uniforms worn by junior and senior officers, as there was in regular cavalry regiments. Rank was displayed on the silver shoulder cords with gold embroidered stars and crowns. The mess uniforms consist of dark blue jacket and trousers with scarlet collar, cuffs and waistcoat, all edged and embellished with silver lace and braid. The lace was diamond and point pattern. The bearded officer at the front is Honorary Colonel, the Earl of Harrington who holds the recently introduced scarlet peaked forage cap, described as ‘staff pattern’.
Some of the group, in the top right of the photo have different evening dress. They display an expanse of white shirt front, either with black or white ties. Those with white ties are in civilian evening dress and are either guests or retired officers of the regiment. One of this group appears to be wearing the more modern form of mess dress. In 1901 this different style of mess dress was introduced into the Earl of Chester’s. It is described in a Hawkes pattern book as ‘Blue, blue [shoulder] straps, scarlet collar and cuffs, roll collar, scarlet vest, four buttons.’ No collar badge was specified for the scarlet lapels but in 1905 embroidered collar ornaments were included in the Hawkes book. So officers joining the regiment after 1901 probably wore this mess dress while the older members continued to wear their splendid, and more expensive, old style dress. The officer in the black tie here, has miniature medals which indicates that he has served in a regular regiment. The man behind him seems to have a collar badge.

Regimental Details | Cheshire Yeomanry Uniforms