Monmouthshire Regiment?

[JerryBB]

I bought this, the seller had it as Welsh and I think it is Mons, what do you think. The angle of the dragons foreleg is wrong for Welsh but correct for Mons IMO and the cap badge looks to be a Dragon which is also correct for Mons.

Any ideas on date, pre WWI I think but when, pre introduction of Brodrick cap C 1902 and post introduction of FS cap C 1886, so sometime between 1886 ish and 1902 ish?

[Graham Stewart]

Not an easy one to date, but the outstanding feature is the lanyards worn around the neck and the unusual pattern of SD uniform, which is minus breast pockets - which in my honest opinion, could possibly indicate 'Mounted Infantry'. If that is the case then probably Welsh Regt rather than the Monmouths, as the Volunteer's never had M.I..

On top of which campaign SD was, as far as I'm aware, never worn by Volunteers at Home until long after the South African War, when Home Pattern SD was introduced. The exception would of course be members of a Volunteer Cyclist Company

Check the shoulder straps to see what they're wearing, as I think I can make something out.

[JerryBB]

The best I can do with the titles Graham. They appear to be curved and with something above them.

Thanks for chiming in on this.

[Graham Stewart]

Originally Posted by JBBOND

The best I can do with the titles Graham. They appear to be curved and with something above them.

Thanks for chiming in on this.

It does actually look like a 'V' above a title, which could possibly be 'Monmouth' and woven into the strap - did the Monmouths have a Cylist Company? There was no standard pattern of uniform for Volunteer Cyclist Companies, most being formed around 1900, but their uniforms are a minefield.

[JerryBB]

Hi Graham,

I have been looking at all the books I have to hand and cannot find any images that match the uniforms of these 3.

The dragon in the cap made me think Mons, but the welsh also wore this form of dragon collar but the Welsh MI appear to have a different tunic to these, and the Glamorgans I think also wore this collar, but I can't find any images of their uniforms.

Thanks again for taking the time to post your thoughts on this, much appreciated.

[Graham Stewart]

Artillery_Volunteer_Signaler_Cyclist.jpgCheshireRegimentVolunteerCyclist-800x1170.jpgRifle_Battalion_Cyclist.jpg
I've borrowed these three beautiful images from 'Soldiers of the Queen', to show you the variety of uniforms being worn by cyclst companies at the time. There is no pattern to them at all and it would appear that V.B. H.Q., had a 'blank cheque' when it came to deciding what their cyclists should wear.