Shanghai Municipal Police Mounted Unit, c.1905

A mounted policeman (with cutlass) in Shanghai c.1905. Photograph by Albert Henry Aiers who served in the SMP from 1902 to 1939. To be honest I’m not sure if this is a member of the SMP’s small mounted unit or a member of The Shanghai Light Horse unit of the Shanghai Volunteers? Any comments from experts most welcome!

And thanks to Robert Bickers at Bristol Uni who tells me: “Walthamstow-born Sidney George Reading (for it is he), once a furniture salesman. Sidney, possibly tiring of China ponies that were too small, left the force after 4 years and was later a tram driver in Brisbane.”