Photos SIM Calvert

The Regimental Colours to the left were carried by the 59th Regiment during the 2nd China Campaign of 1857-60 and would have been the Colours known by S.I.M. William Calvert during his service. The Battle Honours are: Cape of Good Hope 1806, Coruna, Java, Salamanca, Vittoria, St. Sebastion, Nive, Peninsula, Bhurtpoor, and Canton.

The earliest Royal Warrant for Colours of the present standing army dates from 13 February 1661. Over time changes in the practice and design of colours evolved into what became known as the Colours. The Colours (Monarchs Colour and The Regimental Colour) were initially devised to act as a rallying point in the confusion of battle and to identify a units position on a field of battle. The Colours quickly became the symbol of an embodiment of the spirit and pride of a regiment. They represented the link binding the soldiers of the time with the history of their regiment and to the gallantry and sacrifices of the past. Colours have not been carried in battle since 26 January 1881 when the 58th Foot carried them at Laing's Nek during the 1st Boer War. When Colours were replaced the old Colours were usually retired to the Regimental Chapel for safe keeping and the symbolic display of the regiment's service.

The photograph to the left is a group shot of the Sergeants of the 59th Foot taken in c. June 1862 to1865 and was probably taken at Dover (1862-3) or at Aldershot (1864-5). S.I.M. William Calvert is the third man from the right seated in the second row. Notice that the Best Shot of the Regiment is the Colour Sergeant in the first row the third in from the left. Also of interest is that by the date of this photograph there are only 10 sergeants (with a view of their left chest visible) with China 1860 medals.

The corp to the right, taken from the photograph above, shows a good view of Sergeant Instructor of Musketry William Calvert in the center of the picture. Close examination of the original photograph shows his distinctive personal ribbon hanger engraved with W.C.

These sergeants are wearing 1858 pattern sergeants tunics. These tunics were scarlet, edged with distinctive white braid, and distinctive three button cuffs. Each sergeant is wearing a crimson sash over the right shoulder. The sergeants chevrons were formed of double white worsted lace.

Gold lace chevron badges were worn by the Sergeant Instructor of Musketry, Quarter Master Sergeant, and Colour Sergeants, on the upper right sleeve. Their tunics also had a band of gold lace around the cuff and along the top of the collar. The gold collar lace is clearly visible on the tunic of S.I.M. Calvert in the photograph to the right.

The tunic collars, shoulder straps, and sleeves are faced in white for the 59th Foot.

The trousers are dark blue with a narrow red welt down the outside seam.

There are two caps in this photo, the square bill forage cap of the Sergeant Major and Staff Sergeants and the Kilmarnock forage cap worn by the sergeants. [2]

[1] This badge could also be worn on the lower right tunic sleeves by the Sergeants of the best shooting company in each regiment of infantry, troop of cavalry, company of Royal Engineers, and Battery of Artillery and the lower left tunic sleeve by the best shot of the regiment . It was possible for a man to wear more than one set of rifles.
[2] The 59th Foot photographs are from the Chris Coogan Collection.