Yet more Royal Navy Officers - believed from H.M.S. Active

Just like London buses, nothing comes along for ages...

Here's another photograph which was loose in the album I obtained.

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A few of these officers appear in groups attributed to the Active, and personally I'm convinced that the officer standing at the back on the left behind the other three is Henry Norbury.

Does anyone have any input on this?

Thanks in advance.

JY

John,
 
The officer that you believe to be Norbury does look a lot like him.  The photograph would have to be pre-1879 because Norbury’s hair was gray or white in the photographs that I have seen – at least at the temples.  
 
Do you have a date, or name of the ship, for this one?  I don’t recognize any of the others.
 
 
Tom

  Tom, your certainly being kept busy!

Tom,

As far as I'm aware 1870's no other information the album was attributed to an unidentified officer of the Active, nothing else other than that to go on I afraid.

JY

John,
 
You definitely have your work cut out for you in identifying this group.  I did a quick search on the “Active” and confirmed that she served at the Cape of Good Hope and West Africa Station twice during the 1870’s.  The first time was under Commodore Hewett from October 1873 to late 1876. The second was under Commodore Sullivan from 1877 to late 1879.  Both times she had a minimum of 34 officers serving on board.  At least 4 officers who served in 77-78 were re-assigned and replaced by 4 others before the Zulu War.  So, if the officers in your photograph are from “Active” you have at least 72 officers to choose from who might have been available to pose for your photo.  If the officer who you think is Norbury is correct, then the list can be narrowed to the 38 who served from 1877-79.
 
One problem I see is that the senior officer in the photo is a Commander, and there are only 11 officers in total, which could indicate a smaller ship than the “Active.  Commanders known to have served on HMS Active during these two commissions were Commander Robert L. Byng who served from October 1873 until he was relieved by James A. T. Bruce in January 1876, and then Henry T. Wright during 1877 – 78 who was replaced by Commander H. J. F. Campbell in late 1878.  Commander Wright went on to serve as the commanding officer of HMS Flora, guard ship at Simon’s Bay, during the Zulu War.
 
You stated that “A few of these officers appear in groups attributed to the Active.”  Do you have additional photos of these men?
     
 
Tom

Tom,

If you look at the officer seated directly in front of the wheel, he bears a marked resemblance to an bearded officer to an officer in two of the Active officer groups, in the one which Coker in it, he stands directly behind Campbell in the back row. His hair has greyed in that photograph. The chap with the wayward beard standing to the right of the wheel - as viewed - may, and stress, may possibly the older man seated to Coker's right.

Odd you should mention Bruce, as the album had a loose carte-de-visit identified in pencil as 'J. Bruce Serapis', together with a Tenedos rating which I believe you've seen.

A total puzzle I afraid!

John

John,
 
In regards to the two officers that you mentioned:
 

Quote :

“If you look at the officer seated directly in front of the wheel, he bears a marked resemblance to an bearded officer to an officer in two of the Active officer groups, in the one which Coker in it, he stands directly behind Campbell in the back row. His hair has greyed in that photograph.”

 
 
The officer in front of the wheel is a lieutenant, while the officer with the grey hair behind Campbell in the photo that you mention is Staff Surgeon Norbury
 

Quote :

“ The chap with the wayward beard standing to the right of the wheel - as viewed - may, and stress, may possibly the older man seated to Coker's right.”

 
 
The “chap with the wayward beard” looks to be a warrant officer – note the lack of stripes on his right sleeve.  The  “older man seated to Coker’s right” is Boatswain Cotter (a warrant officer.)
 
I'm note sure I have seen Tenedos rating photo. Who is it?
 
 
Tom