Didn't notice the DOB above ...clearly not civil war ...I would still go with trying to identify the medals though... identify the medal and you find out what campaign your ancestor was in and what units were involved ...
At first glance, when I saw the pillbox forage cap and the open jacket, I thought Victoria Railways about 1900, but then the regimental gold band makes me think again. Could be Victorian Militia but the jacket not being buttoned to the neck as are all military uniforms tells me it's not military. The medals on the other page look like commemorate rather than military, I have not ever seen shield shaped military medals. Take the photo to a coin and medal collector.
When I first saw this uniform it reminded me of a old police uniform. Try looking in google.com and put in old uniforms of Victoria, Australia, or Old police uniforms from 1850-1880. But whether or not he was a policeman, I don't know but where would he get a uniform if he wasn't a policeman. Let me know if you need help, I will try to help you. smith41
I tried to do some research on the uniform and the badges but the only thing that I can tell you that the uniform maybe from the Mounted Rifles Volunteers. Not real sure but go through google.com and put in Auckland Mounted Rifle Volunteers 1872 - 1897. Also you can also put in The Colonial Mounted Forces of New Zealand or the Bay of Plenty Cavalry Volunteers.
On July 6, 1887 the 1st Regiment of New Zealand Cavalry Volunteers was founded. The Waiuku Cavalry Volunteers were the A Troop. Also look under the Waiuku Royal Cavalry Volunteers. If you need more help let us know. It also could be a costume, I noticed at the top were some lettering but could not make it out. It look like 2- Zero's. But can't make it out. If you have any other information then it might help. Found some badges but they were similar to the ones on the uniform but not exact. smith41
Do you know his age in both of the pictures? This could be before he married. But anything is possible. I still think he was somehow in the Cavalry Volunteers or Volunteer Policeman or Maybe the Constable. When you go online, just put in uniforms of policeman or volunteer policeman or cavalry volunteers in New Zealand then put in Australia. It might work. I saw today that there were uniforms that looked just like it but the collar was all wrong. It would be better if you did it cause you would know more than I would. Let me know and I will try to help in anyway. smith41
I thought he may have been a policeman but do they have policeman back then? I am sure they did but what they wore I don't know, He might have been a conductor on a train. Do you know anything about the medals? If that is a railroad or railway worker or conductor or brakeman on a train that should be easy to find. But whether or not they have a list I don't know that either. But I would keep searching. You actually help me and I will have to get back to you cause I need to do some research. I will get back to you. smith41
Almost looks like a U.S.A. civil war uniform...hard to tell ... You may have an easier time identifying the Medals...
Didn't notice the DOB above ...clearly not civil war ...I would still go with trying to identify the medals though... identify the medal and you find out what campaign your ancestor was in and what units were involved ...
Thanks,
That was my initial thought but, he was never in the states!
Cheers
At first glance, when I saw the pillbox forage cap and the open jacket, I thought Victoria Railways about 1900, but then the regimental gold band makes me think again. Could be Victorian Militia but the jacket not being buttoned to the neck as are all military uniforms tells me it's not military. The medals on the other page look like commemorate rather than military, I have not ever seen shield shaped military medals.
Take the photo to a coin and medal collector.
When I first saw this uniform it reminded me of a old police uniform. Try looking in google.com and put in old uniforms of Victoria, Australia, or Old police uniforms from 1850-1880. But whether or not he was a policeman, I don't know but where would he get a uniform if he wasn't a policeman. Let me know if you need help, I will try to help you. smith41
Was the photo taken in Australia or New Zealand?
Not sure
I tried to do some research on the uniform and the badges but the only thing that I can tell you that the uniform maybe from the Mounted Rifles Volunteers. Not real sure but go through google.com and put in Auckland Mounted Rifle Volunteers 1872 - 1897. Also you can also put in The Colonial Mounted Forces of New Zealand or the Bay of Plenty Cavalry Volunteers.
On July 6, 1887 the 1st Regiment of New Zealand Cavalry Volunteers was founded. The Waiuku Cavalry Volunteers were the A Troop.
Also look under the Waiuku Royal Cavalry Volunteers. If you need more help let us know. It also could be a costume, I noticed at the top were some lettering but could not make it out. It look like 2- Zero's. But can't make it out. If you have any other information then it might help. Found some badges but they were similar to the ones on the uniform but not exact. smith41
He was born at Woodend in Victoria in 1862 and married in Victoria in 1912 age 50
Do you know his age in both of the pictures? This could be before he married. But anything is possible. I still think he was somehow in the Cavalry Volunteers or Volunteer Policeman or Maybe the Constable. When you go online, just put in uniforms of policeman or volunteer policeman or cavalry volunteers in New Zealand then put in Australia. It might work. I saw today that there were uniforms that looked just like it but the collar was all wrong. It would be better if you did it cause you would know more than I would. Let me know and I will try to help in anyway. smith41
Something like this but with epaulettes. This is the Victorian Railway uniform Museum Victoria
Maybe he was in a band!
I thought he may have been a policeman but do they have policeman back then? I am sure they did but what they wore I don't know, He might have been a conductor on a train. Do you know anything about the medals? If that is a railroad or railway worker or conductor or brakeman on a train that should be easy to find. But whether or not they have a list I don't know that either. But I would keep searching. You actually help me and I will have to get back to you cause I need to do some research. I will get back to you. smith41
Have solved the puzzle finally. He was a member of the Footscray volunteer Fire Brigade. Victoria, Australia.
Here he is in the original photograph With his name J.K. WHITE
Don't know why that link didn't work.
Copy and Paste this
digital.slv.vic.gov.au/dtl_publish/compleximages/39/460811.html
Thanks for that, had already found it. Got his brothers photos off there too.