John Masterson (1838-1920)
John Masterson is in the walking out dress uniform of the Royal Scots Greys. The most distinctive uniform detail of the photograph is the lace pattern on the pill box cap on the table. This saw tooth pattern is unique to the Royal Scots Greys. This carte de visite photograph was taken at Porter's Photographic Gallery located at County Place in Perth, Scotland. John Masterson's rank in this photograph is Troop Sergent Major, a rank which he held from 1866 to 1878. Thus the date of this photograph is sometime between 1866 to 1878.
Royal Scots Greys
John Masterson, a career army man who retired in Perth, Scotland, appears incorrectly as "Masterton" in a number of newspaper accounts, and is therefore included here for completeness.
Genealogy
John Masterson was a son of Luke Masterson, law clerk, and Mary Jones. A fuller genealogy of John Masterson can be found at this link
Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson,
Royal Scots Greys.
Troop Sergeant Major in Photograph.
Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson shows the following dates of rank, campaign service, and army appointments related to his 25 years 154 days (1857-1883) service in the British Army.
John Masterson was born in the Parish of Liverpool, near the Town of Liverpool, in the County of Lancashire, in July of 1847. His next of kin are not listed.
He enlisted as a Private in the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons at Dublin, Ireland on the 12th of November 1857. He was assigned the regimental number 82. His age was 18 years and 3 months and he was listed as a druggist assistant by trade.
At the time of enlistment he is described as 6 feet 1 ½ inches tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He is also shown as having an anchor tattooed on his left arm. His religious denomination is not listed.
Private Masterson was to advance in rank at a fairly rapid pace. He received his 1st Good Conduct pay on the 12th of November 1860. He was promoted to Corporal on the 16th of May 1861, and to Sergeant on the 12th of April 1864. On the 29th of March, 1864 he is mentioned in the General Order No 845 for his, "gallant conduct exhibited, on the occasion of the explosion of the Magazine at Birmingham" on the Tuesday the 8th of March 1864. He was promoted to Troop Sergeant Major on the 11th of January 1866. At Dublin, Ireland on the 19 th of August 1867, he re-engaged to complete 21 years service. On the 11th of March 1878 he was promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant. In slightly over 8 years he had risen from Recruit to Troop Sergeant Major. Remarkably, his entire service was spent in the British Isles. On the 29 th of September 1879, he was appointed to the permanent staff of the of the East Lothian Yeomanry Cavalry as a Staff Sergeant.
He was to qualify for a 5th Good Conduct Badge on the 12 th of November 1878. His name never appeared in the Regimental Defaulters Book and he was never tried by Court Martial. He was in possession of a 1 st Class Education Certificate and the Long Service Good Conduct Medal. After completing service to the 22nd of March 1883, he took his discharge with a total of 25 years and 154 days service to the Colours.
At the time of his discharge his intended place of residence was shown as Edinburgh, Scotland.
John Masterson's service details are extracted from Soldiers Documents: PRO : WO97/1746 and General Order No. 845 dated Horse Guards, 29th of March 1864. Source - Fred Larimore: NINETEENTH CENTURY BRITISH AND INDIAN ARMIES AND THEIR SOLDIERS
Medals of Quarter Master Sergeant John Masterson.
These medals are the only medals received by Quarter Master Sergeant John
Masterson. He is a good example of a soldier whose only recognition
of service is in the form of medals for long and meritorious service.
There is a misconception that all the soldiers of the Victorian era served
on active service or served in far flung posts of the empire. Many soldiers
spent their entire service in the British Isles, as did John Masterson,
or if they did serve overseas they did so without being engaged on active
campaign service.
The two regular British medals are the Victorian Meritorious Service Medal
and the Victorian Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal. Both of these medals
recognize John Masterson's long and meritorious service of 25 years and 154
days in the British Army.
The two smaller medals are Moderator Medals of the PERTH SOCIETY OF HIGH CONSTABLES, both are dated 1894-96 and both are named on the reverse to Masterson. The exact origins of the Perth High Constables is lost in antiquity. From records as early as 1411 they were acting as defenders of the city walls and guards to city officials. The last fighting in the Perth area occurred in 1843 when a group of suppressed soldiers stationed there ran amok of the law. In recent times they have acted as guards and participants in ceremonial occasions such as Royal Visits.
Source - Fred Larimore: NINETEENTH CENTURY BRITISH AND INDIAN ARMIES AND THEIR SOLDIERS
The Dundee Courier
NOVEL RIFLE MATCH - SCOTS GREYS, MILITIA, AND VOLUNTEERS COMPETING. On Wednesday a rifle match of a somewhat novel description took place at the Muirhall range, Perth, the competitors being eight men of the Royal Scots Greys, eight sergeants of the permanent staff of the Perthshire Militia, and eight members of the 18th P.H.V.R. The Greys and Militia shot in uniform and the Volunteers in "mufti," which, it was considered, gave them a decided advantage. The Greys were guided by Sergt.-Major Masterton, [sic] the Militia by Sergeant Instructor in Musketry Smith, and the Volunteers by Lieutenant McKenzie. Sergeant-Major Shaw of the Royal Perthshire Rifles was appointed umpire. The weather was wet and unfavourable. The distances were 200 and 400 yards, five rounds at each. At the close the scores stood as follows :-
| 200 yds. | 400 yds. | Total | |
| Volunteers, | 97 | 87 | 184 |
| Scots Greys, | 85 | 93 | 178 |
| Militia, | 92 | 81 | 173 |
The Volunteers were thus victorious over the Greys by 6 points and over the Militia by 11. A feeling was expressed that a return match should take place, all the competitors to be in uniform.
The Dundee Courier
13th September 1872
The Scotsman
MILITARY ASSAULT-AT-ARMS AND MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT. - A grand assault-at-arms and musical entertainment was given last night in the Music Hall by the regimental instructors and band of the Royal Scots Greys, in aid of the coal fund and soup kitchen for the poor of Edinburgh. The entertainment was of the most pleasing and enjoyable character, but we regret to add that the audience was not so large as the merits of the performers or the objects of their efforts deserved. The assault-at-arms consisted of fencing with foils and broadswords, a sword v. bayonet combat, lance v. bayonet duel, boxing, single stick, the lance and cavalry sword exercise, and a display with Indian clubs and dumb and bar bells. These various feats were performed with spirit, grace, and skill by Sergeant-Major William Webb, Troop Sergeant-Major Masterton, [sic] Sergeant Thos. Graham, Corporal Scougall, and Private J. Wylie. There were, in addition, various sword feats - such as dividing a sheep, severing bars of lead, cutting a folded handkerchief, slicing a lemon on the hand or neck, or within a handkerchief, without injuring the fabric, by Messrs Plunkett, Webb, and Masterton. The ease and dexterity with which these exploits were performed called forth hearty encomiums. The entertainment was varied with several Highland dances by Mr J. McNeill, and the proceedings were enlivened by the performances of the band conducted by Mr Hadyn Millars.
The Scotsman
25th February 1873
The Glasgow Herald
DEPARTURE OF THE SCOTS GREYS - The troop of the Scots Greys which has been stationed in the Queen's Barracks, Perth, for the last two years left yesterday forenoon, en route for Aldershot, under command of Captain Donnithorne. A large crowd assembled at the barrack gate to witness the departure of the "gallant Greys," and as they marched through the streets of the city, they were greeted with frequent and hearty cheers. The conduct of the troop while stationed here has been most exemplary. Previous to the detachment leaving, a few gentlemen waited upon Sergeant-Major Masterton, [sic] and presented him with a handsome hunting-crop, around which was a polished silver "virrel," and having also on it a gold horse-shoe, under which was the following inscription:
- "Presented to Troop-Sergeant-Major John Masterson, as a mark of respect and regard, by a few friends. Perth 26th April, 1873." Below the inscription was the emblem of the regiment (an eagle), the word "Waterloo," and the motto of the regiment, "Second to None." As, by the new arangements under the localisation scheme, Perth will be discontinued as a cavalry station, the Greys, who have just left will be the last cavalry that, for a considerable time at least, will be seen in the "Fair City."
The Glasgow Herald
29th April 1873
The Scotsman
"DAILY TELEGRAPH"
AND
"THE SCOTSMAN"
SHILLING FUND
FOR OUR SOLDIERS
WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
Miss Julia A. Masterton, [sic] who has been one of the most zealous collectors for the Fund in the "Fair City," sends 236 shillings, and says: - "I should have liked my final collection to have been larger, but Perth folks have had so many calls on them, and have done so well one way or another, that I did not like pressing them,"
The Scotsman
22nd December 1900
DEATH OF WELL-KNOWN PERTH CITIZEN. - The death occurred at his residence in Rose Terrace, Perth, yesterday, of Mr John Masterton, [sic] J.P.; one of the city's best-known citizens. He had attained the ripe age of 85, served for 24 years in the Scots Greys, and all his life took a particularly active interest in all matters pertaining to the welfare of service men. He was for 27 years a member of Perth School Board, and for a period acted as chairman. For three years he was honorary instructor to the East Lothian and Berwickshire Yeomanry, and on going to Perth received a similar appointment in connection with the Fife Light Horse.
The Scotsman
4th October 1920
MR JOHN MASTERTON, J.P., MEMORIAL.
The COMMITTEE of above ASSOCIATION INVITE SUBSCRIPTIONS for the ERECTION of a SUITABLE MEMORIAL to the late Mr JOHN MASTERTON, [sic] J.P., Ex Royal Scots Greys. The Committee hope for a generous response in commemoration of a long life spent in the service of the Widow, the Orphan, and the Disabled. Cheques crossed North of Scotland Town and County Bank will be gratefully received by the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer.
Capt. GEO. BALLANTINE.
Edderton Villa, Fens Road, Perth
The Scotsman
Edinburgh
7th May 1921