This photo shows the drum major posing with NCOs of the 79th. The location is not known but the fact that they are in full dress suggests that the photo was probably taken in the UK after their return from India. The 79th served in the Crimea (and still have their Crimea beards), and then India for the Mutiny and the medals worn by these sun-tanned men look like the Crimea medal, the Turkish medal and the Indian Mutiny medal. The regiment served in India for 14 years before sailing home in 1871. They were then stationed at Albany Barracks, Parkhurst, Isle of Wight from November 1871. The drum major has an embroidered green sash worn over his crimson sergeant’s sash, and a white belt on his right shoulder to carry his broadsword. He wears the 1856 pattern doublet which should have been altered c1868 so that the green cuffs became gauntlet style instead of round with the slash flap at right angles to it. He has gold rank stripes on each forearm.
The sporrans are of special interest, being pale coloured goat hair and having five black tassels. The drum major’s cantle is gilt whereas the lance-corporal on the left has a plain black one. Regimental badges appear to be just below the cantles. The mace that he holds has a fluted top, levelled flat, without the figure of St Andrew that was evident in the 1852 painting by Simkin.
