Coldstream Guards, 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 image shows a group of six soldiers of the Coldstream Guards, taken at Wellington Barracks, London.

From left to right:

1) Staff or Colour sergeant in undress uniform which includes a pillbox forage cap and a white drill jacket. His rank badge is three chevrons with a crown.2) The corporal is wearing marching order, which includes a bearskin cap, scarlet single-breasted tunic with garter star badges on the collar, whitened Slade-Wallace equipment, a black valise on his back and he holds his rifle. His rank badge is two chevrons.3) The sergeant, possibly a drill sergeant, wears the bearskin cap and scarlet single-breasted tunic with garter star badges on the collar. He wears a sash, a pair of white gloves, and holds a swagger stick under his arm. His sword is attached to his sword belt.4) The drummer wears a bearskin cap and carries his drum on his back. His scarlet jacket has band wings on the shoulders and is elaborately laced with white and blue braid on the sleeves and across the chest. A bugle hangs from a cord worn over his chest.5) The sergeant in undress wears a short white wool jacket and pillbox forage cap. He has a white pouch belt and holds his rifle. His rank badge is three chevrons.6) The private is wearing undress walking out uniform, with a pillbox forage cap and scarlet single-breasted tunic with garter star collar badges. He has a white pouch belt and hold a cane. The chevron on his left sleeve indicates two years good conduct.

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