The Governor of Malta and his team, 1888.
The date is between 21 Jan 1888 and 28 Sep 1888.
The Governor is the gentleman with large whiskers sitting in the centre. He is Field Marshal Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons GCB GCMG, Colonel Commandant RE (1821-1903). RE is Royal Engineers.
Sir John was Governor of Malta from April 1884 to 1 Dec 1889.
Sir John was preceeded by Sir Arthur Borton 10 June 1878 to April 1884.
Sir John was followed by Lt Gen Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens 28 Sep 1888 - 1 Dec 1889.
The gentleman sitting second from the right with his hat on the floor between his legs is my great great grandfather, Col Henry Helsham Helsham-Jones RE (1838-1920). He is wearing his two medals from the Egyptian campaign of 1882 and the Third Class Order Medjidie. Henry was in Malta from 21 Jan 1888 to 26 June 1889.
The full list of names is:
Seated (L to R): Col C F Leach Senior Commissariat Officer Deputy Commissariat General, Surgeon General Sinclair James PMO (James Sinclair?), Col William Raymond Lluellyn commanding Royal Artillery, General Sir John Lintorn Arabin Simmons, Col Richard Blundell Hollinshead Blundell 3rd Hussars Deputy Adjutant and Quarter Master General, Col Henry Helsham Helsham-Jones commanding Royal Engineers, Col J C Angell Senior Ordnance Store Officer Deputy Commissary General of Ordnance.
Standing (L to R): Col Frederick Gatt commanding the Royal Malta Fencible Artillery, Chaplain to the Forces First Class ranking as Colonel Rev Fred L Gascoigne (RC), District Paymaster and Chief Paymaster Col G W Rippon, Chaplain to the Forces First Class ranking as Colonel Rev William Pomsford, Aides de Camp Maj C F A Turnbull Duke Cornwall Light Infantry, Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for Instructions Maj J G Ponsonby Berkshire Regt, Brigade Major Royal Artillery Maj J K Trotter (probably Maj Gen Sir James Keith Trotter 1849-1940), Capt H W D Denne Gordon Hldrs Aides de Camp from 14 Jan 1888, Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quarter Master General Brevet Lt Col F G Slade Royal Artillery, Aides de Camp Capt A G Chesney South Staffordshire Regt, Brigade Major Major R S H Moody the Buffs.
Shortly after the above photograph was taken Field Marshal Sir John Linton Arabin Simmons finished his appointment as Governor of Malta and Lt Gen Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens became the new Governor. A new photograph was commissioned and as Henry was present we can assume that it was after 1 December 1888 and before 26 June 1889.
The Governor of Malta and his team, 1889.
The date is between 1 December 1888 and 26 June 1889..
Staff Officers Malta Garrison with the new Governor Lieutenant General Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens who held the appointment from 28 Sep 1888 to 1 Dec 1889.
(Left to right): Col Greenwood, Col John Charles Angell, Maj Hallett, Surg Gen Duncan A C Fraser, Col Norton, Gen King, Capt Duff, Lt Gen Sir Henry D'Oyley Torrens, Col McKean, Col Gatt, Lt Wohand, Col Henry Helsham Helsham-Jones RE, Maj Trotter (probably Maj Gen Sir James Keith Trotter 1849-1940), Capt Fairclaire, Col Leach, Rev Fred L Gascoigne, Rev William Ponsford, Col Slade (Lt Gen Frederick George Slade 1851-1910).
Many thanks to Walter Bonnici for the above info.
https://www.maltaramc.com/articles/contents/dress.html
If you have any of the other info please do contact