The East Kent Mounted Rifles were
the only Yeomanry Regiment with the Mounted Rifles
denomination.
That title was adopted by the East Kent Yeomanry in 1853, when the
Regiment was fitted with carbines - though it remained Yeomanry,
and is not to be mixed up with Rifle Volunteer units.
The Royal title was granted in
April 1856 by Queen Victoria.
In 1873, when the Duke of Connaught was appointed honorary
Colonel, the Regiment became the Royal East kent Mounted
Rifles (Duke of Connaught's Own).
This subject is wearing the 1863 uniform,
with a distinctive rifle-green jacket, adorned with
four rows of curved braiding and with scarlet facings.
The equally distinctive astrakhan busby is topped by a green over
scarlet plume.
This subject might well be an officer, as hinted by the pouch belt
pattern, and the green under scarlet throat plume worn by his
horse.
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