TOPIC:

I recently obtained this photograph, made in England, along with Boer War and WWI documents belonging to Private Stanley Northcote of the Imperial Yoemanry, who served a tour in South Africa during the war. Interestingly, he enlisted as a teenager under the name, Northcott.
The photograph was taken by photographer F. G. Christopher, who served the towns of Crewkerne, Yeovil and Chard in Somerset. It shows seven young men, mostly teenagers, probably in training. Presumably one of these is young Northcote.

Can anyone provide information as to the uniforms, the epaulets of which appear to say, "2 V Somerset." Would the 2nd Volunteer Somerset have been Imperial Yoemanry or a different unit?
Is there any way to date this photo, which I am guessing is around 1899?
Any information will be appreciated, as I am looking to sell the collection.

Stanley mentions his previous militia on his attestation.
It does look like he served in the 2nd Volunteer Prince Albert Somerset milita before he joined the Imperial Yeomanry serving in the 25th company 7th battalion West Somerset IY.
So, a very good chance your photograph is his militia Battalion uniform. I will have a closer look at the uniform archives later this weekend. I seem to remember that some milita and Volunteer battalions did wear a light grey uniform .

Your Image

Thanks so much.
Where did you find the document on his militia service? I have the same type documents for his time in the Imperial Yoemanry, as well as the naval reserve in WWI.

The information is taken from his Imperial Yeomanry attestation papers.
He records his previous militia service at section 10.
You probably will have the same document.


Dave..

It's a lovely photo of Rifle Volunteers.

I believe that section 10 says 2nd Vol Batt P.A. Somerset Lt Infy.
This is a unit of Rifle Volunteers, having an entirely different and separate organisation to the Militia.

Pete