Photo search

by **Invisible officer** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 9:30 am

I'm searching for pictorial sources about the 1860 formed 1st Huntingdon Light Horse Volunteers / Earl of Manchester's own.
I know only the following photo:

From descriptions the uniform was red with red facings, white trousers, black boots , often with brown rim. Sounds very much like the hunter's dress the gentry troopers had at home.
Only with the splendid helmet added:

Hope one of you can help me.

by **carvel2** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:11 pm

Sorry IO cant help : (

by **Biggus Dickus** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:27 pm

I.O. well beyond me...but it might be worth contacting the National Army Museum here http://www.nam.ac.uk/research/research-enquiries Someone there may well have some information pictures and likely be able to provide you with copies for a small charge, I remember doing something similar with Bovington tank museum regarding the Maus super heavy tank and Golieth demolition vehicle. very in depth.

This is such an unusual period and regt, i'd be surprised if anyone has any info (other than the museum)....My money would have been on you to have it

hope that helps

by **Invisible officer** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:56 pm

Yes, the NAM is normally the best place to ask and I did so in the past.

But I hoped for some family connections, the 1860 Volunteers are very badly represented in pictures. That there is one photo of this unit at all is a miracle.
The badge is described in Kipling and similar badge books, the helmet exist in a few examples but the tunic......

by **Cubster** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 7:57 pm

Found a pic of a forage cap - http://www.dnw.co.uk/medals/auctionarch ... emid=45186

This is just a larger (nastily coloured) version of the photo you've posted - http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5805979

I've found this reference to them - http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/leisur ... c/army.htm - and it advises consulting the 'Manchester Collection' catalogues held in the Huntingdon archives for more info. If I were you I'd email the Huntingdon archive (their email is at the right of the page I've posted) and ask them if they've got anything more, even if it's just a verbal description.

by **Invisible officer** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 8:07 pm

Thank you Cubster, I found both before asking here, internet research became a big part for the modern historian and collector.

The cap was doubted by some experts, there was a reason for being unsold. Red and white was thought to be the units colours.

The helmet I've shown is original, it was the origin for my interest in the unit that existed just 22 years. I have the uniform descriptions in Army lists and from the Duke of Manchester's papers. The last are to be found in the web.
The Duke was a little ......strange. His parents thought he would get insane but he had a good military career.

The similarity between the uniform and hunting dress made it difficult for non military historians to identify them. There may be photos in the Manchester collection but nobody seem to be sure.