Northamptonshire Rifle Volunteers

[cpgriff]

Gents,

I have recently seen a badge of the Northamptonshire Rifle Volunteers on a few sites on the internet. I can't vouch for this badge but I can verify that which is published in KK, 1532.

Although it is difficult to make out, as it is quite faded, the attached photo does show that the badge in KK was in use in 1882. I'm not sure if there was a special occasion for this photo but I also have one, taken on the same occasion, of the entire Regiment in the grounds at Althorpe.

Formed in 1859 they were regrouped as the 1st Corps (Northamptonshire) in 1880 and became the 1st Vol Bn of the Northamptonshire Regiment in 1887.

Note Capt, the Hon, C.R. Spencer MP sat in the front row. Later to become the 6th Earl in 1910 and Lady Di's Great-great grandfather.

Griff

[cpgriff]

Regarding this photo I have had a reply from the current Earl Spencer; he believes that it was taken to mark the centenary of the formation of this regiment which was created by the 2nd Earl. Although I don't have any other primary reference material, the dates do not completely align so I assume that this may refer to a predecessor of the 1st NRV.

[michael1]

In spite of the printed date on caption of photo mount, the uniforms look earlier to me, 1870s?