tunicphotograph

Full dress tunic worn by Corporal (later Sergeant) J. Crickmore of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, around 1899-1901. It is made from red wool with a white collar, cuffs and piping around the front edge, and the same piping or thin braid forms a design of interlacing loops on both cuffs. The epaulettes are embroidered with ‘3 V Norfolk’ to signify the 3rd Volunteer Battalion. The collar has a brown leather inset to prevent the hook and eye fastening chafing the wearer’s neck, and there are two metal belt hooks on the back of the tunic. The inside is lined with white cotton wool. This is part of a collection of items relating to Sergeant J. Crickmore. The collar has a metal badge on either side showing the insignia of the regiment (a seated figure of Britannia holding a trident and sprig of laurels). The upper right-hand sleeve has patches of brighter red where a diamond and chevrons (probably three stripes) had previously been sewn on and have since been lost or removed. On the left-hand sleeve is badged of crossed rifles, signifying that Crickmore was a Sergeant of the best shooting company in the battalion, or the company with the best target practice record. A manufacturer’s label on the inside back is printed with the title of Hobson & Sons, Lexington Street, London W. Various details on the label have been filled out by hand, seemingly by an employee of the manufacturer. The label on the inside back has details filled out by hand, seemingly by someone employed by the manufacturer. Alongside the chest, waist, height and sleeve measurements of the garment, these details include the name of the soldier it was made for (J. Crickmore), his rank at the time of manufacture (Corporal), and his unit (2nd Volunteer Battalion, Norfolk). The cutter’s initials, F. H. S., have been filled out in a different hand in pencil, and the manufacture finish date is noted in faded red as being 1/5/[18]99.