| Charles Alfred Howard McPherson pictured in what may be a uniform associated with the 2nd West India Regiment. British officer's of the West India Regiment usually wore regulation uniforms common to the other regular line regiments. Other ranks in the West India Regiments wore Zouave style uniforms that were unique in the British army and McPherson seems to be wearing a somewhat grandiose version of what the other ranks wore. Perhaps it is something of his own creation that is not tied to his military service at all. 5th Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps Ensign – 19 February, 1873 2nd West India Regiment Sub-Lieutenant - 22 September, 1875 Lieutenant - 22 September, 1876 Captain - 28 February, 1883 Retired - 14 August, 1889 McPherson began his military career with the Volunteers in Liverpool where he made his home in 1873. An entry in the 27 August, 1875 London Gazette indicates that McPherson was in business up to that date with a Patrick Ross, the firm in question - A. B. McPherson, Ross and Co. Liverpool - was a partnership operating as shipping, insurance and forwarding agents. The Gazette entry states that the firm was dissolved by mutual consent on the same given day. A month later he took his commission with the 2nd West India Regiment. It does not appear that he saw any active service with his regiment. After his retirement in 1889 he re-entered private business. Another entry in the Gazette, this one dated 11 December, 1896 indicates that McPherson along with one Thomas Chilton had been appointed Liquidators for the Liverpool firm of Phaspho Guano Company. Ltd. This entry also lists McPherson's address as the Lodge Holden- street, Brighton-le-Sands. McPherson was born in Aintree, Lancashire, England in 1851, the son of Alexander and Ellen McPherson. He was married to Louisa and had at least three daughters, one, Gladys Victoria McPherson who married Major Charles Hesketh Fleetwood-Hesketh. He died relatively young at the age of 50 in 1901. Carte de Visite Van Dyke & Brown - Photographer Liverpool, England c. 1880's |
| McPherson wearing the uniform of the 5th Lancashire Rifle Volunteer Corps. I am not sure of the significance of the morning band on his arm. Although commissioned an Ensign in 1873 the single Garter Star on McPherson's collar seems to indicate that he may have been promoted 2nd/Sub-Lieutenant in the Volunteers by the time this photograph was taken. Carte de Visite Van Dyke & Brown - Photographer Liverpool, England c. 1874 |
| McPherson in walking out dress of the 2nd West India Regiment. This photograph would have been taken prior to his promotion to full lieutenant in 1876. Carte de Visite Richard Brown - Photographer Liverpool, England c. 1875 |