'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC330' Showing the graves and tombstones of Thomas Malcolm Banks, Joseph Banks and Walter Mayne (obscured, to the right of the Banks' plots) in St Mark's Cemetery, Remuera. The inscriptions read: Sacred to the memory of Thomas Malcolm Banks who died 24th February 1878 aged 31 years. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil. 4c 7v. Joseph Banks aged 49 years. Not gone from memory, not gone from love, but gone to that heavenly home above. Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. (Third tombstone in plot obscured by cast ironwork).

This is a photograph series of three military men that are featured in our Album #224 display which we had at the New Zealand Family History Fair, 2-4 August. It is now available for viewing in the Central Auckland Research Centre for the remainder of family history month.

As any family history detective would do, we scrutinized the uniform details of these men to find clues that would help us to identify their rank and regiment. So please take a look at the photographers as we are hoping members of the public will be able to provide us with the most important information about them, their names.

Soldier #1
The uniform's sleeve chevrons denote a rank of Sergeant, and the cap style headgear has a badge insignia which dates this after 1840, as prior to this time there were only numerical cap badges. The tunic style jacket replaced waist-length coats circa 1855, so gives another indicator for determining the time period. Another subtle clue relates to his facial hair, as it can provide supporting evidence for dating a military photograph according to Robert Pols, the author of Dating Old Army Photographs. Beards and side whiskers were often worn by soldiers in the 1850s, 1860s but were less prevalent by the late 1870s.

Portrait was taken in a Dunedin studio, date unknown.

Unfortunately, this photo has not given us enough information to draw any definitive conclusions. We suspect he was a soldier with a New Zealand Volunteer regiment. Possibly the New Zealand Militia or even the Otago Constabulary?

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'Sir George Grey Special Collections, Auckland Libraries, 4-RIC331' Showing the grave and tombstone of Isabella Mackellar and Walter John Mackellar in Purewa Cemetery. The inscription reads: In loving memory of Isabella Mackellar who died 30th June 1889. Also Walter John Mackellar who died 4th March 1891