The artist W Sharpe produced this watercolour in 1895 but it is retrospective and speculative, depicting staff officers and specialists attached to the King’s Dragoon Guards in 1870. However, two of the officers are wearing breeches and knee boots which were introduced in 1871.
The figures are, from left to right, the Quartermaster, Veterinary Surgeon, Adjutant, Surgeon, and Paymaster seated with arms folded.
The 1864 and 1881 Dress Regulations say that the Quartermaster wears a white feather drooping 5 inches; the Surgeon and Assistant Surgeon a black cock’s tail of same pattern. The Veterinary Surgeon a red feather and the Paymaster no feather. All these officers to wear a cocked hat instead of a helmet. The hat to have gold bullion tassels and a loop one and three eighths inches wide, formed of 4 rows of gold gimp chain, with regimental button.
The questionable aspect is the Vet who should have a red plume on his cocked hat. He should also have a white leather pouch-belt. The adjutant is appointed from amongst the regimental officers and dresses accordingly, with helmet and gold lace belts in review order. He and the Vet are in mounted order, with breeches, knee boots and white gauntlets. The others are in dismounted review order.
The Army List of 1870 names the Adjutant as Lieutenant Henry Barker who had served in the Crimea, but this figure has no medals. The Quartermaster was Henry Murphy, appointed on 27 Nov 1866. This officer was normally promoted from the ranks. The Veterinary Surgeon was Luke Byrne, appointed in 1852 and promoted to 1st Class Vet on 9 Jan 1863. The surgeon was Charles John White who was Assistant Surgeon from 1854, promoted to Surgeon on 28 June 1864. The Paymaster was William Smith who had been Quartermaster in April 1852, appointed Paymaster in July 1855 and promoted to Honorary Major on 23 April 1867. Major Smith had also served in the Crimea and should have two medals.
