A soldier of the Australian Commonwealth Horse in full dress uniform

[slick_mick]

A soldier of the Australian Commonwealth Horse in full dress uniform with Boer War medals.



Mick

[rhodesianmilitaria]

Excellent photo.
Yesterday I was doing more research in regard to my paternal great grandfather who was an officer in the 18ALH (WAMI).
The Light Horse is a fascinating subject.

[Bill Woerlee]

Hi Mick, not sure on who gave this pic the title "Australian Commonwealth Horse in full dress uniform" because it isn't. The collar dogs are bog standard 1903 Rising Sun while the clothing is the standard post 1903 mounted uniform. This is post July 1903 as the debate of aiguillettes had been settled by Curly Hutton earlier that year. The plumage is from a black cock indicating that this is distinctly NSW affectation which was worn up until 1912. Other states had emu or eagle plumes. He appears to be wearing a QSA with 4 clasps and a Long Service Medal. No doubt that he is a Boer War vet. He might have served with the ACH. But that doesn't make this pic a man in an ACH uniform.

That being said, it is a great pic.

Bill

[slick_mick]

Caption was from the State Library of WA.

Cheers,

Mick

[Donny B.]

In his book, The Australian Army Slouch Hat and Rising Sun Badge, Rick Grebert has the same photograph above the caption, "Private J.B. Mills in his Coronation Contingent uniform of 1902 (with the second pattern Rising Sun collar badge). He served with the Second Western Australian Mounted Infantry in the Boer War and was killed at Gallipoli on 31st May, 1915."

I am not an historian but I expect that the information given in this caption is reasonably correct as it seems to gel with other references that I have seen regarding this photograph. I have alway presumed the fellow to be John Brien Mills.

I have had another look at the collar dog and I think I wouldn't mind finding another "bog standard 1903 Rising Sun" that looked just like that one. I suspect that I could very easily sneak it in to complete a set of badges that are not quite so bog standard.

A lovely clear photo, indeed. Thanks for posting it, Mick

Donny B.

[grenadierguardsman]

Cracking picture.

[Chrisr]

Mick,

I agree with Donny. The collar badge doesn't appear to be the 1903 general service badge, no scroll. Great photo.

At that stage (1902), IIRC, it was only the QMI that wore the emu plume.

Regards
Chris

[slick_mick]

Thanks guys - the coronation contingent uniform certainly sounds about right.

Mick

[vigilans]

My 2 bobs worth.......2nd pattern collars and a hat badge with rosette (I would also guess 2nd patt. hat badge blackened brass with gilt letters) typical coronation contingent insignia
Geoff

[Lancer 17]

G,day Mick

Great photo, keep up the good work.

Cheers Phil.