Soldiers of the Queen - A Virtual Museum of Victorian Military Photograps

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A Virtual Museum of Victorian-Era British Military Photographs & Associated Research

Four Men from Edinburgh

Seemingly dating from the early Edwardian era, this cabinet photograph is a rather unusual item. Technically and stylistically it is a typical example of early 20th Century studio photography, What sets it apart is the image's military subject matter.

The photograph records the likenesses of four men. Seated in front are two British men The man on the right is a veteran sergeant of the Royal Scots who wears the Egypt Medal with a single clasp and the bronze Khedive's Star. The man on the left wears civilian clothes with the only noteworthy detail of his attire is what appears to be a Masonic fob on his watch chain.

The two standing gentlemen make the image interesting. Both men appear to be NCOs in the West African Frontier Force. The man on the left wears three gold chevrons point up surmounted by a king's crown on hs lower right cuff and a marksmanship badge on his lower left cuff. The man at right wear three gold sergeant's chevrons on his upper right sleeve. Both men wear a number of campaign medals which seem to include the East and West Africa Medal and the 1902 Africa General Service Medal.

The curious aspect of this image is what was the circumstance that bought these four men together in Edinburgh, Scotland in theearly 1900s? That is the subject of continuing research.

Sergeant of the Royal Scots & Associates

Cabinet Photograph

Edinburgh, Scotland

c. 1900s

Lewis Franciss Philips KRRC-gigapixel-hq-scale-6_00x.png

Lewis Francis Philips, KRRC

The youngest son of John William Philips of Heybridge, Staffordshire and the former Olivia Dodsworth, Lewis Francis Philips was born on 4 October 1870.

Educated at Winchester College, he passed through the Royal Milita6y College and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps (KRRC) in 1890. He was promoted captain in 1898. After service in the Anglo-Boer War he passe through the Army Staff College and and promoted major in the 2nd KRRC in 1905. Promoted Lieutenant Colonel (temporary) in 1914, Colonel (temporary) and Brigadier General (temporary) in 1915.

During his active service in South Africa, he saw action during the Relief of Ladysmith, at Tugela Heights and Laing’s Nek. He saw additional field service in Cape Colony and Orange River Colony. Between 15 April 1901 and 4 February 1902, he held the appointment of Assistant Provost Marshal. He was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with the clasps “Relief of Ladysmith”. “Tugela Heights”, “Laing’s Nek”, “Cape Colony”, and “Orange Free State”, as well as the King’s South Africa Medal with its “1901” and “1902” clasps. Additionally, he received as Mention in Despatches from Lord Robert on 4 September 1901.

Lewis Francis Philips

King's Ryal Rifle Corps

Gibraltar

c. 1891

Let Fly the Arrows...

Identified on the cabinet card’s reverse side as Kenneth Neal Monro, the subject wears the distinctive regalia of the Royal Company of Archers.

The company was established as early as 1672 an was granted a charter by Queen Anne in 1713. Today the company acts as a ceremonial royal bodyguard to the reigning British monarch during visits to Scotland.

Although this archer is clearly identified as Kenneth Neal Monro, no additional information specifically linking to the company have been found so far.

Our subject may be the Kenneth Neal Monro who was born a Paddington, Middlesex, England on 20 July 1879 to Robert Webber Monro and Frances Mary Davidson. The elder Monro was a onetime cricketeer at Oxford and later the chief clerk to the Parliament Office in the House of Lords (1901–1903).

Educated at Harrow, Kenneth established himself as a civil engineer and contractor. His brother Lieutenant Charles Gordon Monro was killed in action at Elandslaagte in 1899 during the Anglo-Boer War.

During the Great War, Monro would serve with the Royal Engineers. He was promoted temporary captain from a lieutenancy on 27 January 1915, and then acting major on 8 November 1917. He left the service in January 1919 with the permanent rank of major.