The Montgomeryshire Militia of volunteers dated back to 1661. Like other county militias it was designed for the defence of Britain in the event of invasion. In 1853 it was re-designated as a rifles militia with the new title of the Montgomeryshire Rifles Militia and its scarlet uniform was replaced by one of a rifle green colour. The changes were short lived. In1880, the Militia was absorbed into the South Wales Borderers, when its uniform reverted back to a scarlet uniform. The photograph, by John Owen, is of an unknown officer of the militia which was taken around 1878.