Very interest SMLI photo
 

Very interesting Somerset photo. Note the caps, insignia, whistles on the breast etc. Unusual that collar dogs are being worn when this was not the norm.

CB

https://www.nam.ac.uk/explore/somers...prince-alberts

CB,

Never seen the Pouch Belt fittings worn like that? Very strange.

regards

Very strange indeed, can't imagine how they were fixed to the cloth of the tunic and must have been uncomfortable, there are very slight variations in the fixing position, wonder if it was the job of a Unit tailor, the individual or perhaps a local contract tailor to fit them.

Simon.

The photo in the OP was thoroughly discussed on another forum last year. A whistle on a chain attached to a boss was an affectation worn by Light Infantry regiment sergeants starting in the 19th century. Although colloquially known as the Inkerman whistle, they were being worn well before the Battle of Inkerman was fought.

The whistle was worn in different ways by the LI regiments. Some wore it with the boss to the left and the whistle to the right and others vice versa. In some forms of dress it might not have been worn at all. It's a very confusing item of dress about which to make precise declarations.

I'm not 100% sure but I think Rifles NCO's still wear it on their uniform.

Cheers,
Dan.

Sergeant of the DLI showing the wearing of the boss on the right and the whistle to the left.

Those whistles are another example of an unusual affection by LI regiments I see.
Note also the mix of Glengarry caps and FSC. I don't know how they kept some of those caps on, being just perched on the tops of their noggins.
I wonder what color the chevrons and their backings would be?

CB