Royal Marine Light Infantry
 

He is wearing a QVR helmet plate but the photograph may date from after her passing.

A lovely photograph.

The rifle is a Martini Henry if that helps to date?

Regards
Irv

Looks like a Lee Metford/Long Lee to me?

regardds

The bayonet appears too long for a Lee Metford or Lee Enfield.

Just checked out pictures of Lee Metford and the Martini Henry I have and it would appear to be a Martini Henry.

If this helps.:)

Martin Henry/Enfield
 

Just to throw a spanner in the works, don't forget that when the .303 was adopted as the universal long arm ammunition and the Lee Enfields & Metfords began to be issued, Martini Henry's were handed in and re-chambered & re barrelled to take .303 and re-issued as Martini Enfields as a stop gap. But at first glance still look like Martini Henrys so with some units may have continued in service well into the early 1900's.

I'm the happy owner of such a weapon, originally manufactured as a MH Mk3 in 1880 (the year after Rourkes Drift) and then converted to .303 as an ME in 1896. Finally finished its military service shortly after 1918.

Can't imagine why the RMLI would still be using 'tinis after the turn of the century, even the converted ones. Perhaps the photo is not post VR.

CB