Wigan Album

I'am not so sure about the soldier and father theory,the chap sat down does not look that old in relation to the soldier. The soldier may have Crimean dress uniform on,please note that's a stab in the dark because I'm no expert,but in those days they took pictures of brothers,and fellow mates just in case one of them did not come back.My grandfather did this with his brother before he fought in the First World War.

The soldiers dress uniform could be that of the royal horse artillary??!

The dress of the soldier could be mid-nineteenth century which would place him at the time of Crimean War. Its more likely that the other chap is a brother, cousin or mate and if so why isnt he in uniform?

Good comments by A Bolton,and Giovanni, it could well be horse trooper but that stick in his hand is not a riding crop,if you look on his sleeve he is I think a regimental Sargent major the crown is over the stripes,can't make out the other insignia could do with some one dropping in who knows his military stuff,also because in a Victorian type photo the hand on the shoulder suggests deep friend ship or family.
And as for why is he not in uniform I think we were then as now a country that had a professional army not full of conscripts.

Thanks John G for your instructive comments!

He is a Battery Sergeant Major of the RHA, his arm insignia are his Sergeants stripes above those his trade badge of a saddler (The H shape) then the gun and above all the crown.

Thanks Joseph that's solved his military side,not bad for a guess from me but I didn't get the coconut.

Just to add this uniform has remained the same for many years so it could be from any era, the Gentleman seated going off his clothes look more of a later Victorian style, I could be wrong on that though. The BSM is holding a 'Swagger' stick, silver topped usually with the Regimental badge on it.

I have put this out to a Facebook group which deals with the Crimean War, and hence full of knowledgeable people, and have had the reply that he is a Collar-maker Sergeant, Royal Horse Artillery. Post-Crimean, but not by much - probably early 1860s.

Cartes de visite (CDV's) were popular from about 1860 onwards.
A John Cooper, Photographer, appears in the 1869 Wigan Directory, at 111 Standishgate.

That's quite correct, George, his trade badge the 'H' shape is that of a Saddler and Harness maker. Thank you.