Pictured with a female relation, this private of the South Wales Borderers was photographed around the time of the Anglo-Boer war.

 

An excellent uniform study, one of the most interesting features of this photograph is the Mills Pattern 1889, 100 round bandolier. This bandolier is identical to the double row web belt issued to U.S. troops during the Spanish-American War to hold the 30/40 caliber rounds for the U.S. Krag-Jorgensen Rifle. There is a possibility that the pictured bandolier is of American manufacture.  The bandolier may also indicate that this soldier was a member of his battalion's mounted infantry detachment.

 

On his 1881 pattern tunic he has a single good conduct stripe on the left cuff and wears a
buff leather - but unwhitened - Slade-Wallace waist belt.

At the time this photograph was taken, the 1st Battalion of the South Wales Borderers was posted to India, while the 2nd Battalion was stationed variously in England, Ireland and
Wales.

Cabinet Photograph
H. Montague Cooper - Photographer
Taunton, Somerset, England
c. 1890s