Crimean war(?) uniform & badge - what regiment?

[jamesjeans]

Hi,
I hope that someone can help. I have just discovered this photo of an ancestor from about 1855.

I believe the uniform is from the Crimean war era. The badge isn't very clear but there are some details visible which should help identify the regiment.
Google image searching for several days have revealed plenty of shako badges which are similar, but not identical.
The most likely locations of regiments are:
Dorset (or surrounding counties).
Middlesex.
Kent.

Any clues much appreciated,
James

[Bill A]

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

[Tinto]

Hi James,
Shako Plate badge looks very much like the Helmet Plate for the Army Educational Corps (K&K1055), has Victorian cypher within a Garter strap.
Your ancestor may have been in the prior Corps of Army Schoolmasters.
Cheers, John

[grenadierguardsman]

Cracking photo.
Andy

[grey_green_acorn]

Perhaps a Gentleman Cadet at the Royal Military College?

Tim

[Tinto]

Originally Posted by jamesjeans

Hi,
I hope that someone can help. I have just discovered this photo of an ancestor from about 1855.

I believe the uniform is from the Crimean war era. The badge isn't very clear but there are some details visible which should help identify the regiment.
Google image searching for several days have revealed plenty of shako badges which are similar, but not identical.
The most likely locations of regiments are:
Dorset (or surrounding counties).
Middlesex.
Kent.

Any clues much appreciated,
James

Hi James,
Have you looked for your ancestor in the Census records?
His name and date and place of birth, if known, would be helpful.
Cheers, John

[jamesjeans]

Hi all,
Thanks for your replies.
I actually know a great deal about this ancestor, just not anything to do with the army! I only just found the image so I was quite thrown by it.
He is James Joseph Child born in 1841 in Shaftesbury, Dorset.
Son of a cabinet maker, he went on to become a very successful cabinet maker in London from about 1860 onwards.
He lived in Gillingham, Dorset in 1851 but have no records for him between 1851 and 1861, when this must have been.

Looking at the badges for the suggestions above I see the both involve a wreath. I'm pretty sure the cap badge in my photo doesn't have a wreath (though the strap badge clearly does).

The uniform is an exact match for that warn by officers in the Crimean war (as far as I can tell from googling).
The family would have been fairly wealthy but not sure if wealthy enough to by an officer-ship.

Thanks again for your help!

[manchesters]

The Albert Shako shown in the photo was worn from 1844-1855 so that fits your missing years theory.

regards

[wardog]

County militias were remobilised in 1851. Could he have been an Ensign? Not sure of social state of play back then if he has the son of a cabinet maker. No offence intended. Regards, Paul. Link to an officers uniform of the 39th (Dorsetshire) Regiment of Foot so not a match to that.
https://image.invaluable.com/housePh...L104440211.jpg

[jamesjeans]

Thanks, no it's not the Dorset regiment, which would have been the most likely.
The buttons have uneven gaps, which is distinctive of some regiments I see.
My next guess might be somerset or possibly London - Middlesex most likely since the family had family connections there.
Thanks.

[jamesjeans]

Some matching uniforms, though not the badges:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/3341...HvsJqTKej91lHF

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/4709...et4tux%2FbCGCs

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/8166...ZneiWk%2F4VvXW

[manchesters]

From the Edinburgh Gazette 6.1.1860

5th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers.

James Childs, Esq. to be Captain. Dated 27th December 1859.

Could be your man.

regards

[jamesjeans]

Oh thank you, that's promising!
I will follow that lead and see where it goes.
People called Child invariably have and "s" appended to their name. Even more so in those days.
Thanks

[jamesjeans]

Because the badge is tricky to read I have made a mock-up of the features based on various similar badges. Does this help?

[wardog]

Would the shako white ball tuft relate to a grenadier company? Also- were commissions bought in non regular units? Regards, Paul.