Photograph and Uniform Details:[1]
by Fred Larimore.
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Copyright © 1995-1997
This photograph measures 7 3/8 inches by 12 3/4 inches and was taken of
George Stewart as a Lieutenant Colonel sometime between 1881 and the end
of 1883 by Henry VanderWeyde of 182 Regent Street, London. The tunic and
trousers are drab (khaki) in color. The tunic is a Hussar pattern and has
drab silk piping and red velvet facings on the collar and sleeve cuffs.
The cords across the tunic front are of drab silk attached to the tunic
by worked olivets. The trousers have a red welt between two rows of drab
silk lace down the outside seam.
The detail to the right shows the collar with drab silk lace of the rank
of Lieutenant Colonel with red velvet facings and a white inner collar.
The drab silk cords are clearly visible. The pouch-belt is of brown bridle
leather, 3 inches wide, with silver regimental breastplate and the chains
and pickers. The chains and pickers, the mark of light cavalry, are symbolic
of the nails that the light cavalry carried for spiking the touch holes
of the enemy's guns. Lieutenant Colonel Stewart's medals from left to right
are the Companions Badge of the Order of the Bath, the Indian Mutiny medal
with clasps "Lucknow" and "Defence of Lucknow", the China 1860 medal with
clasps "Taku Forts" and "Pekin", the India General Service 1854 medal with
clasps "Umbeyla" and "Jowaki", and the 2nd Afghan War medal with
clasps "Ali Musjid" and "Charsia".
The detail to the left shows the right shoulder of the uniform. This detail
helps to further illustrate the descriptions above. In addition the uniform
shoulder strap is visible. It is of pleated drab silk, and has a silver
embroidered crown and pip rank insignia designating the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel. This detail gives a clear view of the worked olivet that attaches
the silk cords to the tunic. The collar detail clearly shows the small areas
of red velvet facing material on the top and bottom of the collar lace.
The detail to the right shows the detail of the lower sleeve of the tunic.
The sleeve ornament is drab silk cord and lace. The pattern is that of
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel. The lower cuff is faced with
red velvet.
[1] The details of
this uniform description were taken from Indian Army Dress Regulations for
1876, 1878, and 1886 along with the notes in W.Y. Carmen, Indian Army
Uniforms Under the British from the 18th Century to 1947,
v.1 Cavalry, London : Leonard Hill Ltd., 1961, p.115-118.
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