Gunner, Royal Horse Artillery, 1895 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1895 (c).

This image comes from a collection of glass plate negatives associated with William Gregory and Company. The negatives depict the British Army, including some members of the colonial forces, 'at home' in Britain during the 1890s.

As well as being intimate portraits of soldiers from this era, the images provide detailed illustrations of uniforms worn during the high point of military tailoring.

The gunner is pictured wearing undress uniform. The high-cut stable jacket is dark blue with cuffs and collar of red facing colour. Two chevrons pointing upwards on his lower left sleeve denote 6 years good conduct. Dark blue pantaloons with a broad red stripe down the outside seam are worn tucked into black riding boots, with spurs attached. His pillbox forage cap is blue with a yellow band and he holds a pair of white gloves. His sword hangs from the slings of a white leather sword belt.

One of a collection of 280 glass negatives, associated with W Gregory and Company, London, and F G O Stuart, 1892 (c)-1900.