Can you tell me more about my relative Cephas’ uniform and his service in the military?

QThis is a photograph of my relative, thought to be Cephas Wigmore, who was born around 1825. I would be interested to know if you can throw any light on the uniform he is wearing. Judith Tozer

AIt looks likely that your relative is a sergeant major in a Volunteer Rifle Unit dating from the mid-1860s, or slightly later – possibly the Lincolnshire Volunteers. In 1859, the half-century-old Volunteer Act – originally used to increase the number of available soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars – was used to form volunteer rifle corps and artillery corps. Following the Crimean War, it had become clear to the Government that there was a shortage of soldiers, and that if Britain became involved in a new conflict, the country might struggle to defend itself. These new volunteers had to pay for their own arms and equipment, but they could also choose the design of their uniforms – as long as the county lord-lieutenant approved.

As TE Sandall noted in his History of the 5th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment (1922), which can be read at bit.ly/te-sandall, several companies of rifle volunteers were raised in Lincolnshire, which later became the 1st and 2nd Volunteer Battalions of the Lincolnshire Regiment. Sandall noted that “the volunteers were most useful in promoting and encouraging the art of rifle shooting”, although their value as a military force has been debated.

1SECURING

A WHISTLE

Across Cephas’ chest are a sash and a chain that would have secured a whistle for issuing signals, typical of non-commissioned officers (NCOs) in rifle units.

2CHEVRONS AND CROWNS

Four chevrons and a crown above mark Cephas as a sergeant major. By the 1870s, these had moved lower down the sleeve.

3COLOURS

Cephas wears a seven-buttoned scarlet tunic that has a standing collar with rounded fronts. The cuffs and collar are probably blue. Although many volunteer units wore grey uniforms, not all did – and 2nd Lincolnshire Volunteers wore these colours in the 1870s.

4UNUSUAL UNIFORM

Under his chevrons, there appears to be a badge. It could be a Volunteer Cavalry Badge for The East Riding or Berkshire Yeomanry, but his tunic is too simple. The other possibility is a sphinx on a bar with a scroll beneath, the badge of the 2nd Lincolnshire Volunteer battalion; such badges are rarely on sleeves.

5AUSTRIAN

KNOTS

The elaborate Austrian knots above his cuffs were much favoured by volunteer units and part of their dress uniform for decades.

6WEAPONRY

Sergeants and sergeant majors could carry a sword as part of their dress uniform, although it was usually an officer’s weapon.