Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'

Norman Dunn's 'Hebburn and our Neighbours Forum'
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Cabinet Photo

Posted by peter cook on 21/10/2025, 8:54 pm

Another old cabinet photo. Photographer was J.H. Haggitt, Market Place, South Shields. Photo dates circa 1870.

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Malcolm on 21/10/2025, 9:03 pm, in reply to "Cabinet Photo"

Love these photos, Peter.

Clearly a studio painted back-drop, with a wee ship, and a ruin in the background..

But that's the way it was done, back in the day.

As has been said, such a shame we don't know who he was.

But you never know, one day, you will post one that will be recognised.....maybe?

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Sheila on 21/10/2025, 9:15 pm, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

I also love the old photos, thank you Peter. I wonder what his uniform is.

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Liz Dance on 21/10/2025, 9:57 pm, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

I was trying to work out where the back drop was meant to be?

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Michael Arbon on 21/10/2025, 11:32 pm, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

Sheila this is what chatGPT makes of the photo.

This photograph depicts a soldier wearing a Victorian-era British volunteer or militia uniform, likely from the mid-to-late 19th century (circa 1860s–1880s). Here are some identifying features:
• Uniform style: The tunic with standing collar, shoulder straps, and a row of buttons down the front is typical of British military and volunteer uniforms of that era.
• White cross belt: The cross belt and cartridge box (not visible but implied) are standard for infantrymen and volunteers.
• Cap: The forage cap (or pillbox cap) was common among volunteers and militia units in the 1860s–1880s period, replacing earlier shakos and predating later service caps.
• Rifle: The firearm appears to be a muzzle-loading rifle, possibly an Enfield pattern rifle-musket, which was widely used by British forces and volunteer units before breech-loading weapons became standard.
• Photographer’s mark: The image is by J. H. Haggit, South Shields, placing the soldier in northeast England — a clue that this man may have belonged to a local Volunteer Rifle Corps, such as the Durham or Northumberland Rifle Volunteers.

So, this is most likely a British Volunteer Rifle Corps uniform from the 1860s–1870s, worn by a member of a regional militia or volunteer regiment, rather than a regular army soldier.

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Sheila on 22/10/2025, 9:03 am, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

Michael, thank you for the information, very interesting.

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Carol in hampshire on 22/10/2025, 8:35 am, in reply to "Cabinet Photo"

Just a thought is the ruin in the background in Tynemouth

Re: Cabinet Photo

Posted by Norman Dunn on 22/10/2025, 9:10 am, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

Well done for all your detective work Michael. Amazing!
Yes Carol that is Tynemouth Castle in the background.

Re: Cabinet Photo - Carol

Posted by Liz Dance on 22/10/2025, 9:10 am, in reply to "Re: Cabinet Photo"

You could just be right Carol, well spotted.