J.F.B. was also a hydraulic engineer, designing and making hydraulic engines for organs; a teacher of organ music; Health Inspector for Clarkenwell, London; and manufacturer of nitrous gas for medical use, his family delivering it to London hospitals.

 

 

 

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Photographic carte-de-visite by John Frederick Blennerhassett 

 

 

 

 

 

Photographic carte-de-visite of an unidentified British army officer, sepia photograph taken by John Frederick Blennerhassett. This probably dates from 1865-1872 when he is known to have been operating photographic studios at both the addresses printed on reverse of the card (62 Upper Street, Islington, London, N. and 1A Vernon Street, Pentonville, London) simultaneously.

 

The sitter wears his patrol jacket with an officer's belt, on his cap the cap badge of a Light Infantry Regiment. He proudly displays two war medals, between and below which hangs a miniature medal or decoration.

 

I first thought he may have been a Crimean War veteran, which if correct would have suggested the medals were the Crimea Medal and Turkish Crimea Medal. The Durham Light Infantry (68th Regiment of Foot) and Somerset Light Infantry saw service in the Crimea, as did the Highland Light Infantry (71st Regiment of Foot) although the uniform in the photograph is English, not Scottish.

 

However, these medals are not from the Crimean War - on the first there are no bars (clasps) and the suspension between ribbon and medal does not match that of the Crimea Medal. The miniature may be associated with a foreign decoration.  This officer was photographed in uniform ten or more years after the Crimean War (1853-1856) ended, so it was probably following return from a different conflict.