Object:

This patrol jacket dates from 1893 to 1897 and was worn by Captain Joseph Fox Tarratt of the West Scotland Artillery, formerly known as the Argyll and Bute Artillery Militia. Although patrol jackets and matching trousers are commonly associated with undress uniform, the trousers in this case are labelled “Parade”, making this an unusual example of a parade uniform. In keeping with later patrol jackets of the period, the jacket survives without a false collar, though this may have been removed, as is often seen on uniforms of the late 1890s.

Provenance:

Born in 1869, Joseph Fox Tarratt was the son of Daniel Fox Tarratt and Mary Stewart. He was raised with his sister, Mary Caroline Campbell Tarratt, at Ormsary House, South Knapdale, Argyllshire, Scotland. According to birth records, his father was a wealthy landowner and brought up his children in comfort until his sudden intestate death in 1888. As there was no family will, Joseph inherited the family estate together with one third of the movable property, while his sister inherited the remainder. The total movable estate amounted to £6,000.

Army Lists record that on 5 November 1892, Joseph Fox Tarratt was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Argyll and Bute Artillery Militia, later being promoted to First Lieutenant in February 1894. On 30 April 1896, he married Mary Georgina Helen McNeill. Their marriage produced two sons: William Stewart Tarratt in 1897 and Duncan McNeill Fox Tarratt in 1898.

Joseph resigned his commission in 1897, possibly owing to failing health and a desire to spend more time with his young family. Tragically, he died on 31 October 1898 at the age of twenty-nine, from unknown causes. He left behind a holograph will for his wife and children, both of whom were still infants and would grow up without their father. Sadly, both sons were later killed in the First World War at the age of nineteen, having attempted to follow in their father’s footsteps.

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