Mystery Engineers unit probably colonial/dominions?

[Peter Brydon]

Just a thought, I think it is in “The Irish Regiments” that it is said one of the Irish Horse Regiments ( North or South cant remember which ) used to hire uniforms from theatrical costumiers when full dress uniforms were required.

P.

[leigh kitchen]

Interesting - a reason I discounted a shamrock badge was that I thought it over - large in the photo - am I wrong?

[Luke H]

An interesting and surprising anecdote P.B. I shall ask Keith Hook if this is true.

The dress uniform of the NIH was a lancer style jacket in dark green. That’s before we go into the collar badges being wrong, chainmail epaulettes and most distinctive Bersaglieri style hat being absent.

The SIH also wore green with red collar facings and red band on the cap and stripe trousers/breeches. The cap and collar was a small shamrock, even the larger officers PBP is not the size of the cap badge shown.

[Milmed]

Originally Posted by michael1

Sorry if it looks like a Facebook photo, it’s actually an original photo that I own

Is there anything written on the back of the picture?

Have you cropped the picture for this forum or is there 'more to see' on the original photograph?

[Luke H]

I’ve heard back from Keith Hook.

Apparently an officer appeared at a levee between the wars in fancy dress that included a bell-top shako as South Irish Horse. He believes this is where the story has come from.

As stated both Yeo had their own full dress uniforms, both very unlike the uniform in question.

Additionally Keith thought the badge looked like Cambridge University Rifle Corps but pointed out the host of inconsistencies already mentioned plus a couple more. He is showing a friend who is a CURV expert.

[Peter Brydon]

Luke please pass my regards to Keith, it’s many many years since we last corresponded.

P.

[Peter Brydon]

I think there has been some misunderstanding about the earlier point I was trying to make, that is , it is not unknown for people to wear made up uniforms when having their photograph taken.

Photographers often had bits of uniform- hats, swagger canes etc in their studios to add a bit of style to the pictures they were taking.

I wasn’t suggesting that the picture the subject of the thread was a member of one of the Irish Horse regiments just using that as an example of a made up uniform.

P.

[Luke H]

In furtherance to my last post Keith Hook’s friend who he regards as an expert in matters of Cambridge University Rifle Volunteers (CURV) and CUOTC sent the following response:

‘‘The indistinct cap badge’s shape is an excellent match for the CURV service dress cap badge worn up to 1908. What can be seen of the crossbelt also matches the CURV one. As he has a campaign medal he has seen regular service. So, my guess is that he was a member of the CURV permanent staff - an instructor or in an admin post. As for the rest of his uniform, I expect he embellished his old regular army one - nobody at Cambridge would have known better or cared much! His collar badge looks like a small grenade, so might he have been in the RHA?’’

So perhaps this is mystery solved.

[michael1]

This is very interesting, I know Keith and he is a much respected specialist. I had wondered if he was from a TF unit, certainly the tones of the photo would fit their silver laced grey kit with pale light blue facings and I agree the outline of the badge is a good match. The only thing I’m a little dubious about is the wearing of his old unit collar badges, if that was the case would he also wear his crossed trumpets arm badge as worn by RE and RA, certainly this is by far the best explanation so far, many thanks for your interest

[michael1]

I am glad I persevered and posted this in several threads, I am now convinced by the CUVRC identification and want to sincerely thank all those who contributed to this, I really am most grateful