This splendid photograph of Harry Gem aged 48/9 was previously unknown until a couple of months ago. It depicts Harry as a captain in the Birmingham Rifle Volunteer Corps (Warwickshire Rifle Corps, Birmingham Division) and has emerged from the archives of the local Masonic Leigh Lodge of which Harry was a founder member in 1862 and eventually Master at the time this photograph was taken. In 1871 he was appointed the Provincial Senior Grand Warden for Warwickshire which was and remains a prestigious appointment.
In September 1859 Harry became secretary of the committee to set up the Birmingham Volunteers and enlisted as an ensign. Within a few months he was promoted first lieutenant, then captain in command of No1 Company and would reach eventually the rank of major.
Warwickshire Rifle Volunteers Belt Plate 1859.
