| A group of four senior sergeants of the 3rd Battalion, 60th Foot/King's Royal Rifle Corps taken sometime in the mid-1880s. The identification of the mens battalion is based obviously on their distinctive rifle uniforms and also on their campaign medals and the location of the photograph. Although the medal ribbons or indistinct the suspenders as well as the order in which they are worn gives us a pretty good idea of which campaigns these men had served in. Taking the center seated sergeant as an example we can assume that the medal closest to his shoulder without a clasp is the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. The other two medals are most likely to be (from center) the 1877-79 South Africa Medal the so-called "Zulu Medal"and in the center the 1882 Egypt Medal. The Quartermaster Sergeant standing on the left wears the same 1877-79 South Africa Medal as does standing (center) Sergeant-instructor. The Quartermaster Sergeant on the right wears the 1882 Egypt Medal and the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal. Based upon the service record of the 4 battalions of the 3rd/60th, King's Royal Rifle Corps as well as the battalions of the Rifle Brigade, the 3rd Battalion, 60th Rilfes/KRRC is the only unit that could possibly have this specific selection of medals. Although the 1882 Egypt Medal implies that some of these men would also be entitled to the Khedive's Star it is most probable that the bronze star issued by the Turkish Viceroy of Egypt has not yet been presented to them. The other key to their unit affiliation is the location of the photograph - Stonehouse, Plymouth. The 3rd, 60th/KRRC is also the only regular rifle battalion that was stationed for any length of time in the Devonport/Plymouth area. The battalion arrived there in 1882 immediately after their service in Egypt. This would also help explain the absence of the Khedive's Star which at least two of the men were entitled to since the Star's issuing authority was in Egypt while that of the 1882 Egypt medal was of course the British Crown. Cabinet Photograph John Pittuck - Photographer 63 Union Street, Stonehouse Plymouth, England c. 1882 |
