CO and Sergeant-Major 1892

This reproduction of Simkin’s watercolour painting is of poor quality but the basic details can be seen. It is valuable because it was observed from life by the artist at the height of his career. The painting was the basis for a lithographic print published in the Army and Navy Gazette, 1 Oct 1892. The commanding officer is in mounted review order with plain black sabretache suspended on three white leather slings from his waist-belt which is white with a gilt and silver clasp. His sword has a gold sword-knot and according to the 1891 Dress Regulations, should have a brass scabbard. Officers below field rank had steel scabbards. His dress tunic is scarlet with white facings and an array of gold lace, and braid in circular patterns on the collar and cuffs. There are regimental badges on his collar and rank badges on his gold shoulder cords; an embroidered crown and star for lieutenant-colonel. Simkin has given him medals for the 1884/5 Egyptian campaign although the COs of the two battalions at that time, George Oakes and Alfred Paterson, had not served in that campaign.
The standing figure is the Battalion Sergeant-Major wearing a special pattern dress tunic which has gold lace round the top and front of the collar, and around the top of the jam-pot shaped cuff. His badge of rank is a discreet embroidered crown badge on his right forearm. He also has medals for the 1884/5 Nile Campaign. His helmet is the OR type which has a rounded peak with black edging as opposed to the office’s helmet which has a pointed peak and gilt edging. His helmet plate, however, is officer quality, gilt and silver. He carries a sword which has a black leather scabbard with brass fittings.

Regimental Details | Uniforms