Middlesex Duke of Cambridge’s Hussars, Yeomanry Cavalry

Mounted Private 1856

The yeoman depicted in this excellent painting is not named but it must have been commissioned by the CO of the Uxbridge Yeomanry to mark the important change in the style of the uniform made in 1855. It was similar to the officers’ but there were differences in the quality as well as some of the details. The plume on the green helmet was black horsehair instead of feathers and the trousers were blue with a thin red stripe down the side. This combination of green tunic and blue trousers for the rank and file was to remain a special feature of the Middlesex Yeomanry for as long as dress uniform was worn.
The pouch and pouch-belt were of black leather as was the waist-belt. The tunic was dark green and long-skirted, double-breasted with five visible brass buttons down each side. From this reproduction it is difficult to see if the collar and cuffs are black but we must assume that they were. The brass shoulder-scales were an unusual feature, as they were normally worn only on coatees. The Uxbridge Yeomanry must have been a wealthy unit to provide embroidered green shabraques as well as valises to go on the back of the saddles. The royal cypher below the crown was VR for Queen Victoria, and the initials U Y C, all on green cloth. There as no uniformity in the colour of the horses as can be seen in the background.

Regimental Details | Uniforms