London Irish Rifle Volunteers

[High Wood]

I am struggling to find the correct title for this man's regiment. Clearly London Irish and was probably in the 16th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps. The photograph cannot be earlier than 1894 when the Volunteer LS&GC was introduced for 20 years service in the ranks of the Volunteers. In 1881 the 16th Middlesex R.V.C. became a volunteer battalion of the Rifle Brigade but Westlake does not record which one, mentioning only the 19th and the 24th Middlesex R.V.C. by name.

Given that this is a Cabinet Card, albeit with the bottom section missing, it is probably pre 1908, so he is not yet in 18th (County of London) Bn. The London Regiment. (London Irish Rifles).

I do not know when the Martini Henry rifle was withdrawn from service.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

[Alan O]

https://qvictoria.wordpress.com/vict...raphers-ba-by/

This sites give the date of up to 1901 which would tie in with uniform and side cap which was replaced circa 1905 and the Rifle which was phased out by 1904.

Being a volunteer rather than a regular, then dating photos by the end of use is never precise.

[manchesters]

As a 'Volunteer Bn' of the Rifle Brigade it did not mean it got a VB Battalion number.

It remained the 16th Middlesex upto 1908, but was allocated as a VB of the Rifle Brigade.

therefore your photo is 16th M/sex RVC c. 1900.

Never seen the chevrons used instead of stars for efficiency before?

regards

[High Wood]

Many thanks.

[irishhorse]

Interesting collar badges.

[Wmr-RHB]

Originally Posted by manchesters

It remained the 16th Middlesex upto 1908,

There was some change however.

In 1891, like all others that were not retitled as Nth Volunteer Battalion, The X Regiment since 1880, the designation was changed from
16th Middlesex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteer Corps
into
16th Middlesex (London Irish) Volunteer Rifle Corps

Something that is ignored by many, I assume not in the last place by the units involved themselves.