trying to identify Victorian soldier

[TrussThurlby]

This photos shows one of my ancestors, either in the Truss or Thurlby families (although he might have married in, so not necessarily that surname).
I've been told that the uniform is that of a pre-1902 Royal Artillery officer.

Does anyone know whether that is correct, and is there any way I can identify him?

Many thanks!

Dick

[Bill A]

Hello TrussThurlby, welcome to the Forum. Your account is active and open for posts.

[manchesters]

Dick,

Your information is indeed correct.
He could be a Regular Officer or a Volunteer Officer. The first had gold coloured badges and the latter silver coloured. Obviously thats impossible to tell the difference in old photos.

If there were any words you could read on his helmet plate that would give an answer but alas I feel its too small.

Whats the photographers address on the rear?

regards

[TrussThurlby]

Hi Simon,
Thanks very much for getting back to me: that's very useful.
I've looked at the helmet plate with a hand lens, and it's not just small but completely blank - flared out.
The photographer was William Hall, 80 West Street, Brighton.
Best wishes,
Dick

[manchesters]

Dick,

Looking at his age and lack of medals I would suggest he is a Volunteer Officer, but thats not certain.

The 1st Sussex Artillery Volunteers were based at Brighton, but there again most large coastal towns had similar Artillery Volunteers.

I can find no officers with the surname Truss or Thurlby in any regiment of the British Army in the 1880's and 1890's which is when the photo would have been taken.

regards

[TrussThurlby]

Thanks Simon, for looking so carefully: I'm not entirely surprised, I had a feeling that he probably married in to whichever family was. (Both these strands of my ancestry are mid-England, Northants or Lincolnshire, so I suspect the Brighton location was a holiday one.
Best wishes, Dick