This veteran lance corporal had decided to wear his temperance society medals on his left breast which was decidedly against regulations. For the most part temperance medals never received Royal approval for wearing while in uniform and most soldiers who chose to be photograph wearing them did so with the medals pinned to the right breast of their tunics so that they would not be confused with officially sanctioned medals and decorations. Although his collar badges are unclear this lance corporal may have been a member of the 1st Battalion, the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment or perhaps (if his collar facing is blue) the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Irish Regiment both of which were stationed in India in the 1880s and 90s. Cabinet Photograph Calcutta Art Studio - Photographer 185 Bow Bazar St, Calcutta, India c. 1890s |