The central figure in this group of sergeants and senior NCOs is the RSM (Regimental Sergeant Major) wearing stable dress. His rank was shown as a crown on his right forearm. The stable jacket is blue with scarlet facings, laced with gold. He is the only one in stable dress, the others are nearly all wearing dress tunics which are either plain blue with scarlet plastron, collar and cuffs, or embellished with gold lace on the collar and cuffs, and gold cap-lines. Two sergeants at the back, on the left of the photo are wearing the undress blue frock which had buttons down the front.
In 1895 the cavalry regiments had three warrant officers, the RSM, the Bandmaster and the Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant (FQMS). The rest were either 1st or 2nd Class Staff. Seated near the RSM is the FQMS with a horseshoe badge above his four chevrons, and gold lace on his cuffs and collar. On the other side is probably the RQMS who would have a star badge above his four chevrons. Other NCOs have 1st Class Staff uniforms with gold lace, who may be the Orderly Room Quartermaster Sergeant and Squadron Sergeant Majors. In 1892 the cavalry was reorganised as squadrons instead of Troops. This photo was published in the Navy and Army Illustrated on 6 March 1896. It was probably taken in 1895 when the regiment was stationed at Aldershot.
