THE FULL DRESS SABRETACHE OF CAPTAIN J.T. WHIGHTMAN, ADJUTANT S.N.Y.C. FORMERLY OF THE 11TH HUSSARS.

  During the leadership of Colonel Robert Holden of Nuthall Temple, in command 1848 to 1868, saw the appointment of Captain J.T. Wightman. Made Captain, 12th February 1851, and appointed Adjutant to the Regiment at the rank of Captain , 18th February 1851. This increased the number of Officers in the regiment to 25 with a total of 383 in all ranks.

He appeared in the Officers list of 1856 as Adjutant J.T.Wightman.
In 1857, unemployment was widespread in Nottingham. This led to a general public meeting in the Market Place, 17th November. A serious riot broke out in the centre of Nottingham resulting in many properties being plundered and damaged. The riot was largely suppressed by the local Police. The Magistrates at the time requested Colonel Holden to have the South Nottinghamshire Regiment available at a moment's notice in case things got out of hand.
The following letter was issued to the Captains commanding troops. -
Cavalry Stores
Granby Street
Nottingham19th November 1857.
Sir,
I am directed by Lieut-Colonel Holden to inform you that your Troop has received orders to hold itself in readiness to turn out at the shortest notice in aid of the civil power.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient humble servant, J.T. WIGHTMAN
Captain and adjutant, S.N.Y.C.
It turned out that regiment was not required. This was the last time the Regiment was footed for riot duty.
The Officers list for 1861 shows him again as Captain and Adjutant J.T.Wightman (late 11th Hussars)., and again the same for 1866.
During the command of Colonel Earl Manvers, 1868 - 1879, he was again on the Officers list for 1869 with the same rank and position. Again the same for January 1871, and lastly on the list for October 1871.
Captain Wightman was replaced by Captain D.H.Doherty as the Regiments Adjutant on 1st February 1872.
Captain Wightman retired with the rank of Major after nearly 21 years service with the Regiment.
Noted by the Regimental history, "He had done much to improve the efficiency of the Regiment, and as regards its interior economy, it was due to his capable management that the South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry were always able to appear well appointed and uniformed. He also kept the regimental records in a most methodical manner, and it is from his regimental letter books and memoranda that many details of this history have been largely forthcoming."
Captain Wightman appeared on a well known painting of South Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Officers, a group of five including himself and Colonel Robert Holden.
It is in keeping with his reputation for order and record keeping that Captain Wightman chose to write his name in his sabretache, whereas most Officers did not.
The Officer's in the picture, Captain Wightman (Adjutant), Captain T B T Hildyard, Colonel Robert Holden (CO), Major T B Charlton, and Lieutenant-Colonel J Sherwin Sherwin.







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