| These photographs diplay a very
interesting uniform of the North Somerset Yeomanry.
This regiment used to wear dragoon-like
uniforms ; the Albert pattern helmet testifies to that heritage.
The helmet plate displays a royal cypher within a garter, on which
"The North Somerset" is inscribed. The garter is
surrounded by a wreath of laurels. This helmet was adopted in
1851.
The sitter is wearing the unique tunic
adopted in 1856, adorned with silver lace for officers. This tunic,
with its four pairs of Austrian knots fastened by olivets, will be
replaced by 1879 by a tunic with five rows of regular Light
Dragoons braiding.
The uniform is dark blue with silver lace
; the cuffs are scarlet.
The overalls have double silver stripes for dismounted use (riding
overalls had double red stripes)
It is quite interesting to note that the
helmet's plume is still made of black feathers : the black plume
(made of feathers for Review Order, and horsehair for Marching or
Field Day order) was discontinued in 1856 (when the new tunic was
adopted) in favour of a white horsehair one ; the feathers had a
natural greenish tinge. Likewise the silver laced pouch belt was
theorically replaced in 1856 by a brown leather one.
Our sitter is wearing the full dress
sabretache, covered in dark blue cloth and inscribed "North
Somerset Yeomanry" under the Royal Cypher and Crown.
The sword is adorned with a gold olivet
sword knot.
W.H. Midwinter was active at 24 College
Green from 1863 to 1879. These CDVs are likely mid-1860s.
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