Sergeant Major, 19th (Princess of Wales' Own) Hussars, 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 sergeant major is wearing stable dress. This comprises a blue stable jacket with plaited gold shoulder cords, and gold lace around the collar, cuffs, down the front and around the bottom edge. His jacket is fastened with toggles. The chevrons and crown on his right sleeve denote his rank, the elephant badge his regiment, and the crossed swords show his swordsmanship skill. A service ribbon on his left breast shows he has the Egyptian campaign medal (1882-1889).

The sergeant major wears a pillbox cap which has a band of gold lace around it and a gold lace design and button on top. He wears dark blue pantaloons with a double yellow stripe down the outside seam, tucked into black leather riding boots with spurs attached. He carries a lance, without its pennon on top. The horse has standard leather military tack, including a pair of leather wallets at the front of the saddle.

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