| Images from England, Scotland and Ireland |
| The Regulars |
| 2nd Lt. Hylbert John Birkbeck 1st West India Regiment & Border Scouts 1899 |
| Unidentified Trooper 7th "The Queens Own" Hussars. c. 1900 |
| Brigade Sergeant-Major William H. Garlick Royal Horse Artillery c. 1870s |
| Unidentified Private Prince Albert's Somersetshire Light Infantry Hand Tinted Cabinet Photo c. 1880s |
| Captain W. A. Hebden 1st Battalion, The Essex Regiment Cabinet Photograph Essex, England 1899 |
| Staff Sergeant 2nd Battalion The Gordon Highlanders c. 1880s |
| Veteran Sergeants Kings Royal Rifle Corps c. 1892 |
| Unidentified Gunner Royal Marine Light Artillery & Nurse c. 1900 |
| Trumpeter Henry Hollington Sawyer Honourable Artillery Company City Imperial Volunteers 1899 |
| Lance Corporal 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers c. 1890 |
| Unidentified Trooper 14th Hussars c. 1900 |
| Mounted Officer Belfast, Ireland c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Mounted Artillery Sergeant c. 1900 |
| Cooks 1st Battalion, The Durham Light Infantry 1895 |
| Soldier's Bunk c. 1895 |
| Captain Godfrey Baldwin 19th Regiment of Foot 1873 |
| Sergeant John Colly 43rd Regiment of Foot c. 1869 |
| Private James C. Weeks 1st Battalion, 22nd Regiment of Foot 1872 |
| Lieutenant Conway Stratford George Canning Kings Royal Rifle Corps c. 1884 |
| Lieutenant Charles Frederick Lennock 1st Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment c. 1883 |
| Cadet Harry Charles Harvey Royal Military College 1870 - 1903 ( 5 images) |
| Lord Cardigan: "Paymaster? Paymaster Duberley? That ain't a rank, it's a trade!" |
| Two Military Policemen c. 1870s |
| George Sydney Carr 3rd Regiment of Foot "The Buffs" c. 1870 |
| Unidentified Officer 25th Regiment of Foot c. 1870s |
| Carte de Visite-Sized Gemtype (Ferrotype) Army Hospital Corps c. 1870s |
| Captain Henry Fludyer Scots Guards c. 1870s |
| Colonel Richard G. A. Luard 62nd Regiment of Foot c. 1865 |
| Captain Adolphus Vereker 20th Regiment of Foot c. 1860 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel William George Hamley Royal Engineers c. 1859 |
| Unidentified Ensign 64th Regiment of Foot c. 1860s |
| The Volunteers, Militia,Yeomanry and Cadet Corps, etc... |
| Private 1st Volunteer Battalion The South Wales Borderers c. 1890s |
| Colour Sergeant Henry J. B. Paish 19th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers c. 1890s |
| Lt. Rupert Wilkin 13th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers "The Queen's Westminster Rifles" c. 1888 |
| Lieutenant William Davidson Adams 1st Caithness Artillery Volunteers c. 1885 |
| Bugler 16th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers "London Irish" c. 1890 |
| Military Cyclist Volunteer Battalion The Cheshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Chaplain Volunteer Forces c. 1900 |
| Sergeant 14th County of London Battalion The London Regiment "London Scottish" c. 1904 |
| Signaler Arthur Edmund Lewis Jones No 4 University Co. Queen's City of Edinburgh Rifle Volunteers 1898 |
| Colour Sergeant 8th Battalion The Kings Liverpool Regiment "Liverpool Scottish" c. 1890s |
| Lieutenant (later Lieutenant Colonel) R. E. Martin C.M.G., T.D. D.L. 5th Battalion, the Leicestershire Regiment c. 1900s |
| Ambulanceman Tom Rowen St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Officer St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Quartermaster Sergeant St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Ambulanceman Luke Suthers in Foreign Service Order St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Veteran Sergeant 1st Caithness Volunteer Artillery c. 1880s |
| Ambulanceman Home Service Order St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1902 |
| Trooper & Brothers Imperial Yeomanry c. 1901 |
| Trooper City Imperial Volunteers c. 1900 |
| Trooper Sussex Imperial Yeomanry c. 1900s |
| Saddler Sergeant & Wife 168th Company, 28th Battalion "Westminster Dragoons" Imperial Yeomanry c. 1901 |
| Saddler Imperial Yeomanry c. 1901 |
| Unidentified Rifleman 20th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers "Artist Rifles" c. 1880s |
| Tyssen Sowley Holroyd ex 34th and 23rd Regiments of Foot Regiment Volunteer Battalion, Essex Regiment Signed Cabinet Photograph Gill - Photographer Colchester, England 1891 |
Born in Colchester on 11 January, 1838 Tyssen Sowley Holroyd
first petitioned for the purchase of a commission in Her Majesty's
Army at the age of 14 on 9 August, 1852. The petition was written
on his behalf by his father, the Reverend James John Holroyd,
Rector of Abberton. Tyssen's purchase of the rank of Ensign in
the 34th Regiment of Foot was granted for a sum of £450 by the
Commander in Chief on 12 January, 1855. Less than six months
later on 8 June, 1855 he was promoted to a lieutenancy in the
same regiment.
Later in 1855 Holroyd was with his regiment in the Crimea where
he took part in the siege and taking of Sebastopol and the assault
on the Redan on 8 September, 1855.
During the Indian Mutiny (1857-58) Lieutenant Holroyd, while
with the Gwalior Contingent, was wounded during actions of 26, 27
& 28 November at Cawnpore . He took part in the capture of
Meangunge, the siege and fall of Lucknow, the relief of Azimgur
and the defeat of rebels by Sir R. Kelly in Nepal.
first petitioned for the purchase of a commission in Her Majesty's
Army at the age of 14 on 9 August, 1852. The petition was written
on his behalf by his father, the Reverend James John Holroyd,
Rector of Abberton. Tyssen's purchase of the rank of Ensign in
the 34th Regiment of Foot was granted for a sum of £450 by the
Commander in Chief on 12 January, 1855. Less than six months
later on 8 June, 1855 he was promoted to a lieutenancy in the
same regiment.
Later in 1855 Holroyd was with his regiment in the Crimea where
he took part in the siege and taking of Sebastopol and the assault
on the Redan on 8 September, 1855.
During the Indian Mutiny (1857-58) Lieutenant Holroyd, while
with the Gwalior Contingent, was wounded during actions of 26, 27
& 28 November at Cawnpore . He took part in the capture of
Meangunge, the siege and fall of Lucknow, the relief of Azimgur
and the defeat of rebels by Sir R. Kelly in Nepal.
| Acting Sergeant Major Patrick Riordan DCM Duke of Cornwall's Rifle Volunteers c. 1890s |
| Sergeant Major William Thornley Royal Artillery. c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Private 66th Regiment of Foot c. 1868 |
| Major William D. S. Dickins 20th Regiment of Foot c. 1870s |
| Colonel William Pollexfen Radcliffe 20th Regiment of Foot c. 1863 |
| No. 2040 Private John McDermond Promoted Corporal 47th Regiment of Foot, 2nd Division. Awarded the Victoria Cross for Gallantry at the Battle of Inkerman on 5th November, 1854. Carte de Visite Reproduced c. 1880 from a glass plate original c. 1857 |
John McDermond was born in
Clackmannan, Scotland around
1828 and it was during the Crimean
War that he was awarded the
Victoria Cross for gallantry in the
face of the enemy while serving
with the 42nd Regiment of Foot/2nd
Division.
Clackmannan, Scotland around
1828 and it was during the Crimean
War that he was awarded the
Victoria Cross for gallantry in the
face of the enemy while serving
with the 42nd Regiment of Foot/2nd
Division.
| Charles Alfred Howard McPherson 5th Lancashire Rifle Voluteers 2nd West India Regiment 1873-1889 |
| Army Private & Colonial Volunteer? 1880s |
| Private 4th Volunteer Battalion The Queens (West Surrey) Regiment c. 1900s |
| Trumpter Imperial Yeomanry c. 1900 |
| Trooper Frederick James Hunt 2nd Life Guards c. 1898 |
| Unidentified Officer Hand Tinted Carte de Visite c. 1875 |
| Unidentified Private 1st Regiment of Foot The Royal Scots c. 1870s |
| Unidentified Sergeant Hand Tinted CDV c. 1867 |
Edward "Eddie" Sylvester Gillman was born
on 11 December, 1857 at Laurel Mount,
Cork, Ireland the son of Thomas Henry
Gillman, M.D. and the former Frances Alicia
Shawe.
He received his appointment as
Sub-Lieutenant of the West Cork Artillery
(Militia) on 3 March, 1877.
An outline of his military career follows:
on 11 December, 1857 at Laurel Mount,
Cork, Ireland the son of Thomas Henry
Gillman, M.D. and the former Frances Alicia
Shawe.
He received his appointment as
Sub-Lieutenant of the West Cork Artillery
(Militia) on 3 March, 1877.
An outline of his military career follows:
| Edward Sylvester Gillman 31st Regiment of Foot / South Wales Borderers Carte de Visite Belfast, Ireland c.1880 |
| Sergeant David H. Muir Edinburgh Artillery Volunteers c. 1903 |
| Wheeler Lewis Tizard Royal Engineers c. 1885 |
| Rifle Battalion Military Cyclist c. 1900 |
| Mounted Infantryman The Green Howards The Princess of Yorkshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Surgeon Philip Mackay Ellis 10 September, 1878 |
| Lieutenant Charles Gordon Creyk 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot 2nd Battalion, West India Regt. Carte de Viste Dover, England 1876 |
| Private John Harvey 2nd Battalion The Northamptonshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Henry Grenfell Thornton 1st Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood) Rifle Volunteers Imperial Yeomanry 1901 |
Christian and Denis Galloway
the sons of William Galloway,
a mining engineer and
Christiana Maud Gordon were
both born in Wales, Denis in
June 1878 and Christian on 13
May 1880.
They where both to be
commissioned into the Royal
Monmouthshire Royal
Engineers (militia) in 1897.
Their unit had the unusual
but not unique distinction of
having the word "Royal" used
twice in its title.
the sons of William Galloway,
a mining engineer and
Christiana Maud Gordon were
both born in Wales, Denis in
June 1878 and Christian on 13
May 1880.
They where both to be
commissioned into the Royal
Monmouthshire Royal
Engineers (militia) in 1897.
Their unit had the unusual
but not unique distinction of
having the word "Royal" used
twice in its title.
| Left: Lt. Christian Francis John Galloway Right: William Albert Denis Galloway Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers Mounted Photographs c. 1902 |
| Captain Frederick Baylay Royal Engineers c.1893 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick George Baylay Royal Artillery May, 1888 |
| Army Service Corps Sergeant c. 1890 |
| Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Allen Owen Gentleman at Arms Late 88th Regiment of Foot 1911 |
| Captain Richard Clay 3rd Middlesex Rifle Volunteers c. 1885 |
| Drum Major Dwyer c 1860s |
| Volunteer Signaler/Cyclist Swansea Volunteer Force (Artillery) c. 1890 |
| Gunner Ernest Charleton Honourable Artillery Company City Imperial Volunteers 1899 |
| Drummer R, H, Simmonds 7th Middlesex (London Scottish) Volunteer Rifle Corps c. 1880s |
| Two Unidentified Volunteer Soldiers Drinking Bass Ale and Playing Cards Volunteer Battalion, the Royal Berkshire Regiment Great Britain c. 1890s |
| Corporal "Tiggy" Queen's Own Regiment of Dorset Yeomanry Cavalry c. 1870 |
| "In Days to Come" Original Pen & Ink/Watercolour Illustration Great Britain 1897 |
| Sergeant William Henry Jenkins 2nd Battalion The Royal Highlanders (The Black Watch) Military Prison Staff Corps c. 1907 |
| Cabinet Photograph Inscribed from Thomas Hart to Mr. J. Hart Bulford Camp Wiltshire, England c. 1904 |
At first glance this photograph seemed to
be an example of an easy research project
but ended up leaving more questions
unanswered than there were at the
beginning.
Taken after the end of the Anglo-Boer War
the image depicts a private of the Loyal
North Lancashire Regiment (his cap badge is
clearly visible) who appears to have been
posted to Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.
Additionally the photograph bears a period
inscription on its reverse that reads: "From
Thomas Hart to Mr. J. Hart".
Following my normal course of investigation
I soon uncovered a set of...
be an example of an easy research project
but ended up leaving more questions
unanswered than there were at the
beginning.
Taken after the end of the Anglo-Boer War
the image depicts a private of the Loyal
North Lancashire Regiment (his cap badge is
clearly visible) who appears to have been
posted to Bulford Camp in Wiltshire.
Additionally the photograph bears a period
inscription on its reverse that reads: "From
Thomas Hart to Mr. J. Hart".
Following my normal course of investigation
I soon uncovered a set of...
| Lieutenant Arthur Stanley Hoole Royal Military Academy Royal Artillery c. 1885 |
| Sergeant Royal Engineers c. 1902 |
| Lance Corporal Lewis Jagoe Commissariat & Transport Department 18 January 1871 |
| Bandsman 14th Regiment of Foot c. 1866 |
| Corporal Thomas Ely Gale Royal Artillery c. 1881 |
| Cadet (Four Views) Harrow Rifle Corps c. 1900s |
| Cadet Queen's University (Belfast) Officers' Training Corps? c. 1905 |
| Trooper Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry c. 1900 |
| Watercolour sketch of volunteers From the sketchbook of J. Walter Richards Barmouth, Wales 7 August, 1907 |
| Lieutenant Robert Nigel Dalrymple Bruce 3rd Battalion, the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment 7 July, 1882 |
| Lieutenant Francis Michael Goold-Adams Royal Artillery c. 1881 |
| Bugler Mounted Infantry c. 1890 |
| "Rifle Practice" Photographic Reproduction of Amateur Military Artwork c. 1865 |
| Lincolnshire Volunteer Set of Three Carte de Visites c. 1869 |
| Royal Navy Chief Petty Officer Leading Torpedo Man c. 1900s |
| Unidentified Civilian Gentleman Carte de Visite Great Britain c. 1870 |
Here is a rather interesting carte de visite
and one that may at first glance seem an odd
addition to the title page of this website being
that it does not depict (as far as I know) a
member of Victoria’s military services. What
garnered it a place here is the tiny red
photographer’s imprint that appears just
below the image of the good-natured looking
subject. The stated imprint simply reads: “E.
Stock, 57th Regt.”
It appears that this is an example of a serving
British soldier who somehow found the time
to practice the photographic arts during
whatever spare time he had. Perhaps his
regimental commander indulged Stock’s past
time since having a photographer “on the
staff” even unofficially would have had its
advantages.
and one that may at first glance seem an odd
addition to the title page of this website being
that it does not depict (as far as I know) a
member of Victoria’s military services. What
garnered it a place here is the tiny red
photographer’s imprint that appears just
below the image of the good-natured looking
subject. The stated imprint simply reads: “E.
Stock, 57th Regt.”
It appears that this is an example of a serving
British soldier who somehow found the time
to practice the photographic arts during
whatever spare time he had. Perhaps his
regimental commander indulged Stock’s past
time since having a photographer “on the
staff” even unofficially would have had its
advantages.
| Volunteer Cyclist Rifleman c. 1900 |
| Gunner Edward William Dove Freeman Royal Artillery 9 March, 1868 |
| Rifle Volunteer London Scottish Rifle Volunteer Corps c. 1865 |
On 26 June 1920 Colonel B. W. Y.
Danford, General Henry Tyndall Lucas and
a Colonel Tyrrell were off to enjoy what they
thought would be a quiet day of salmon
fishing not far from the British military
barracks at Fermoy, Ireland.
Although accounts differ a bit in the details,
the three British officers were waylaid by
four members of the Irish Republican Army
- Liam Lynch, George Power, Sean Moylan
and Patrick Clancy. Although all three of
the officers were veterans of the recently
ended World War being out numbered and
surrounded they saw the better part of
valour and surrendered the revolvers they
habitually carried to the Irish Republicans.
An account of the kidnapping and it
immediate aftermath appeared in the 28
June 1920 edition of The Times:
Danford, General Henry Tyndall Lucas and
a Colonel Tyrrell were off to enjoy what they
thought would be a quiet day of salmon
fishing not far from the British military
barracks at Fermoy, Ireland.
Although accounts differ a bit in the details,
the three British officers were waylaid by
four members of the Irish Republican Army
- Liam Lynch, George Power, Sean Moylan
and Patrick Clancy. Although all three of
the officers were veterans of the recently
ended World War being out numbered and
surrounded they saw the better part of
valour and surrendered the revolvers they
habitually carried to the Irish Republicans.
An account of the kidnapping and it
immediate aftermath appeared in the 28
June 1920 edition of The Times:
| 2nd Lieutenant Bertram W. Y. Danford Royal Engineers Cabinet Photograph London, England c. 1894 |
| No. 1011 Corporal Beeching c. 1879 |
| No. 1069 Bandsman 1/Devonshire Regiment 14 August, 1884 |
| Unidentified Artilleryman c. 1890's |
| Lieutenant - West Cork Artillery (Militia) 31 May, 1877 Second Lieutenant - 31st Regiment of Foot - 5 October, 1878 Lieutenant - 31st Regiment of Foot - 20 March, 1880 |
This slightly worm eaten CDV photograph depicts one
Charles Gordon Creyk. He is identified or the image's
reverse side and as being a member of the 2nd West India
Regiment. As usual I began to do some preliminary research
prior to posting the image here and I soon found out that
Creyk had been a member of the 2nd Battalion, 24th
Regiment of Foot before transferring to the 2/West India.
Never having heard of a Lt. Creyk serving with the 24th
during the Anglo-Zulu War I began to look a bit further
through my sources and found the following:
Charles Gordon Creyk was born about 1856 in Banffshire,
Scotland the son of Alexander Creyk and Sarah McIntosh.
Charles Gordon Creyk. He is identified or the image's
reverse side and as being a member of the 2nd West India
Regiment. As usual I began to do some preliminary research
prior to posting the image here and I soon found out that
Creyk had been a member of the 2nd Battalion, 24th
Regiment of Foot before transferring to the 2/West India.
Never having heard of a Lt. Creyk serving with the 24th
during the Anglo-Zulu War I began to look a bit further
through my sources and found the following:
Charles Gordon Creyk was born about 1856 in Banffshire,
Scotland the son of Alexander Creyk and Sarah McIntosh.
| Unidentified Corporal 85th Regiment of Foot c. 1881 |
| Unidentified Private York & Lancaster Regiment c. 1880s |
| Unidentified Private Boer War Veteran c. 1902 |
| Trooper Scottish Horse c. 1902 |
| Captain William John Engledue Royal Engineers c. 1871-1880 |
| Chelsea Hospital Out-Pensioner Parchment No. 182 Farrier Sergeant Thomas Ball 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoon Guards 28 June, 1866 |
This parchment out pensioner certificate was issued
to No. 182 Farrier Sergeant Thomas Ball of the 6th
(Inniskilling) Dragoons and tragically illustrates the
short comings of 19th Century medical care.
Not surprisingly a blacksmith by trade when he
attested with the 6th Dragoons on 3 February, 1858,
Ball was born at Burton-upon-Trent sometime
around 1840. Standing in at 5 feet, 11 inches he was
quite tall for his day and taller than most men
usually taken into the cavalry at the time.
to No. 182 Farrier Sergeant Thomas Ball of the 6th
(Inniskilling) Dragoons and tragically illustrates the
short comings of 19th Century medical care.
Not surprisingly a blacksmith by trade when he
attested with the 6th Dragoons on 3 February, 1858,
Ball was born at Burton-upon-Trent sometime
around 1840. Standing in at 5 feet, 11 inches he was
quite tall for his day and taller than most men
usually taken into the cavalry at the time.
| Unidentified Officer (Inscribed) c. 1886 |
| G. A. Decker Imperial Yeomanry Christmas 1902 |
| Trooper with Two Bandoliers c. 1900 |
| Lieutenant Colonel Sir Peter Redford Scott Lang, VD 1st Fifeshire Royal Garrison Artillery c. 1898 |
| Drummer in Khaki Walking Out Dress c. 1902 |
| Staff Sergeant Charles William Bamford Army Service Corps Woolwich, England Cabinet Photograph 16 October, 1890 |
Son of a serving Sergeant Major in the Royal
Artillery, Charles William Bamford was born at the
Lucknow Cantonment in India on 17 July, 1864.
His father, the afore mentioned Sergeant Major
was Charles Edward Bamford and his mother the
former Mary Ann Castleton. The young Charles
arrived in England sometime prior to 1871 when he
is shown in the census of that year residing with his
family at Sheffield Barracks.
Charles followed his father into Queen’s service
sometime prior to the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu
War (1879) and although his service papers have
not been found (possibly due to his later promotion
to officer rank) a relatively complete record of his
service in five wars under three sovereigns can be
put together.
Enlisting in the Army Service Corps as No. 2416
Bamford held the appointment of bugler when he
served in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
Artillery, Charles William Bamford was born at the
Lucknow Cantonment in India on 17 July, 1864.
His father, the afore mentioned Sergeant Major
was Charles Edward Bamford and his mother the
former Mary Ann Castleton. The young Charles
arrived in England sometime prior to 1871 when he
is shown in the census of that year residing with his
family at Sheffield Barracks.
Charles followed his father into Queen’s service
sometime prior to the outbreak of the Anglo-Zulu
War (1879) and although his service papers have
not been found (possibly due to his later promotion
to officer rank) a relatively complete record of his
service in five wars under three sovereigns can be
put together.
Enlisting in the Army Service Corps as No. 2416
Bamford held the appointment of bugler when he
served in the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879.
| Rifleman City of London Rifles c.1905 |
| Royal Navy Rating with Maxim Machine Gun c. 1900s |
| Lieutenant Robert Freebairn Bell-Clothier West India Regiment / Indian Army c. 1874 |
| Corporal of the London Scottish & Wife c. 1860 |
| Sergeant 1st Battalion, 24th Foot and Wife c. 1881 |
| Unidentified Private 77th Regiment of Foot c. 1880 |
| Sergeant Major 10th Regiment of Foot c. 1880 |
| West India Regiment London Scottish Royal Artillery Woolwich, England Cabinet Photograph c. 1890s |
"Types of the British Army" was something of a generic title applied to illustrations of
services usually during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. There could vary from book
plates by noted military artist Richard Simkin to collectible cigarette cards that came as
premiums with tobacco products. This title seems quite appropriate for this group photo.
The image captures three non commissioned officers of the West India Regiment, the
London Scottish Volunteer Rifle Corps and the Royal Artillery. How all three men came
to be photographed together is not known but given the Woolwich location (home to the
Royal Military Academy and Royal Artillery Barracks) perhaps their respective regiments
were taking part in some training exercises or maneuvers. It is also possible that these
men were somehow related and this was something of the record of an impromptu family
reunion.
With French zouave inspired uniform complete with tasseled turban, the man seated at
left was a member of the picturesque West India Regiment which was raised in British
Jamaica and other West Indian colonies. The ranks of the West India Regiment were
filled with men of African descent while officers and senior NCOs were always European.
While no rank insignia are visible on this man's uniform he must certainly have been of
the latter.
services usually during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. There could vary from book
plates by noted military artist Richard Simkin to collectible cigarette cards that came as
premiums with tobacco products. This title seems quite appropriate for this group photo.
The image captures three non commissioned officers of the West India Regiment, the
London Scottish Volunteer Rifle Corps and the Royal Artillery. How all three men came
to be photographed together is not known but given the Woolwich location (home to the
Royal Military Academy and Royal Artillery Barracks) perhaps their respective regiments
were taking part in some training exercises or maneuvers. It is also possible that these
men were somehow related and this was something of the record of an impromptu family
reunion.
With French zouave inspired uniform complete with tasseled turban, the man seated at
left was a member of the picturesque West India Regiment which was raised in British
Jamaica and other West Indian colonies. The ranks of the West India Regiment were
filled with men of African descent while officers and senior NCOs were always European.
While no rank insignia are visible on this man's uniform he must certainly have been of
the latter.
| Staff Sergeant Army Service Corps c. 1880 |
| Lance Corporal 1/Somerset Light Infantry c. 1880s |
| Mr. Coulthard Honourable Artillery Company City Imperial Volunteers 1899 |
| Unidentified Soldier & Typed Memorial Prayer Liverpool, England Carte de Visite c. 1900 |
Although the name of this soldier went unrecorded, his carte de visite portrait was found
inside its original photographer suppled glassine envelope which is something not often
encountered. Even of greater rarity was the was folded paper found tucked inside the envelope
along with the photograph. The paper contained a poignant typed prayer that must have been
read at the soldier's memorial service after his death probably during the Anglo-Boer War.
inside its original photographer suppled glassine envelope which is something not often
encountered. Even of greater rarity was the was folded paper found tucked inside the envelope
along with the photograph. The paper contained a poignant typed prayer that must have been
read at the soldier's memorial service after his death probably during the Anglo-Boer War.
| Colonel Richard Hugh Lambart Brickenden The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) c. 1890s |
| Lieutenant Colonel Staffordshire Rifle Volunteer Corps c.1880 |
| Frederic William & Arthur Henry Piggin Cabinet Photographs Long Eaton, Derbyshire, England. c. 1900 |
A good number of years ago while perusing a well-known
online auction website I came across a pair of cabinet
photographs depicting two brothers taken just prior to
their departure for South Africa during the Anglo-Boer
War. The two young men, looking not many days out of
their teens, where identified as Frederic William Piggin
and Henry Arthur Piggin. They were photograph identically
uniformed and posed by photographer Berl Storer of Long
Eaton, Derbyshire around 1900.
That the two photographs has remained together after
more than a century was no small miracle but this was lost
on the seller who posted the two images for sale separately
– an all too common and very unfortunate occurrence. In
spite of my best efforts I was only able to secure the
purchase of one of the photographs, that of Frederic
William Piggin.
Needless to say I was more than a little disappointed with
the outcome of the sale, but there was nothing to be done
about it.
online auction website I came across a pair of cabinet
photographs depicting two brothers taken just prior to
their departure for South Africa during the Anglo-Boer
War. The two young men, looking not many days out of
their teens, where identified as Frederic William Piggin
and Henry Arthur Piggin. They were photograph identically
uniformed and posed by photographer Berl Storer of Long
Eaton, Derbyshire around 1900.
That the two photographs has remained together after
more than a century was no small miracle but this was lost
on the seller who posted the two images for sale separately
– an all too common and very unfortunate occurrence. In
spite of my best efforts I was only able to secure the
purchase of one of the photographs, that of Frederic
William Piggin.
Needless to say I was more than a little disappointed with
the outcome of the sale, but there was nothing to be done
about it.
Bedecked with campaign medal for service
in Queen Victoria’s last two major colonial
wars, Sergeant Loftus Swift Williams of the
rifle Brigade strikes a very regimental pose
in this photo which he touchingly inscribed
to his daughter Flora in 1912.
Williams himself hailed from Sandown on
the Isle of Wight, being born in early 1878.
His mother was Charlotte James Williams
while his father’s name is unknown. He
served in the militia with the Hants
Volunteer Artillery prior to his enlistment
in the Rifle Brigade as No. 4463 on 26
February 1896.
After a brief stay in Malta, Williams, who
had been posted to the 2nd Battalion,
travelled up the Nile River with Kitchener’s
expedition to retake Khartoum and was
present at the capture of the Madhist
stronghold. He was entitled to the Queen’s
Sudan Medal and the Khedive’s Sudan
Medal with the clasp “Khartoum”.
in Queen Victoria’s last two major colonial
wars, Sergeant Loftus Swift Williams of the
rifle Brigade strikes a very regimental pose
in this photo which he touchingly inscribed
to his daughter Flora in 1912.
Williams himself hailed from Sandown on
the Isle of Wight, being born in early 1878.
His mother was Charlotte James Williams
while his father’s name is unknown. He
served in the militia with the Hants
Volunteer Artillery prior to his enlistment
in the Rifle Brigade as No. 4463 on 26
February 1896.
After a brief stay in Malta, Williams, who
had been posted to the 2nd Battalion,
travelled up the Nile River with Kitchener’s
expedition to retake Khartoum and was
present at the capture of the Madhist
stronghold. He was entitled to the Queen’s
Sudan Medal and the Khedive’s Sudan
Medal with the clasp “Khartoum”.
| Sergeant Loftus Swift Williams The Rifle Brigade Colchester, England Mounted Photograph (Trimmed) 1912 |
| Lieutenant John Frederick Melfort Campbell 70th Regiment of Foot Bombay Staff Corps 2nd Baluch Regiment London, England Carte de Visite 1875 |
John Frederick Melfort Campbell was one of the many promising young officers
who fell while on active service almost before their military careers had begun. His
biography was published in The Afghan Campaigns of 1878-1880 by Sydney H.
Shadbolt (1882) and it follows here in total:
John Frederick Melfort Campbell was the eldest son of the late Captain
Patrick Campbell, R.N., of the family of Melfort, Argyleshire, by his marriage
to Gertrude, only daughter of the late Captain Joseph Barnes, R.A. He was
born on the 12th December, 1856 and was educated at the Royal Naval
School New Cross. From this establishment he passed, in the midsummer
examination of 1875, tenth out of a hundred and thirty-five candidates for
direct commission in the Line; and being shortly afterward gazetted to the
70th Foot, joined that regiment at Peshawar.
While serving in the Punjab, young Campbell passed with distinction
through the Garrison Class at Sialkot, the preliminary examination of
Native Languages, and, in due course, the final examination for the Staff
Corps. There is something touching, judged in light of after events, in a
passage penned by him in reference to this period of his career, in a letter
written as few day before his death to his mother. “My mind,” he writes, “is
at rest, now that I have finished that examination. Hitherto my life has been...
who fell while on active service almost before their military careers had begun. His
biography was published in The Afghan Campaigns of 1878-1880 by Sydney H.
Shadbolt (1882) and it follows here in total:
John Frederick Melfort Campbell was the eldest son of the late Captain
Patrick Campbell, R.N., of the family of Melfort, Argyleshire, by his marriage
to Gertrude, only daughter of the late Captain Joseph Barnes, R.A. He was
born on the 12th December, 1856 and was educated at the Royal Naval
School New Cross. From this establishment he passed, in the midsummer
examination of 1875, tenth out of a hundred and thirty-five candidates for
direct commission in the Line; and being shortly afterward gazetted to the
70th Foot, joined that regiment at Peshawar.
While serving in the Punjab, young Campbell passed with distinction
through the Garrison Class at Sialkot, the preliminary examination of
Native Languages, and, in due course, the final examination for the Staff
Corps. There is something touching, judged in light of after events, in a
passage penned by him in reference to this period of his career, in a letter
written as few day before his death to his mother. “My mind,” he writes, “is
at rest, now that I have finished that examination. Hitherto my life has been...
| Band Corporal 50th Regiment of Foot c. 1880 |
| Veteran NCOs Army Ordnance Corps/Royal Artillery c. 1905 |
| Private Devonshire Regiment 1890s |
| "Old Sweat" East Lancashire Regiment 1890s |
| Lieutenant Denis John Hawkins 105th Regiment of Foot (Madras Light Infantry) 1869 |
| Signals Section 1st Battalion, The Sherwood Foresters 1895 |
| Guardsman Scots Guards c. 1880s |
| Lieutenant Hugh Fortescue Wilmshurst Gwatkin 3rd Battalion, the Highland Light Infantry c. 1881 |
| Sergeant South African Light Horse c. 1902 |
| Rifleman 4th Battalion, the Rifle Brigade 1890s |
| Major William O'Toole 98th Regiment of Foot c. 1879 |
| Sergeant Royal Engineers c. 1890 |
| Regimental Sergeant Major Edward Brown, Jr, Hampshire Carabiniers, Imperial Yeomanry November, 1902 |
| Ambulanceman in Foreign Service Order St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Private Royal Marine Light Infantry c. 1880 |
| Sergeant Royal Engineers c. 1900s |
| Four Lieutenants 1870s |
| Colour sergeant 13th (Prince Albert's Light Infantry) Regiment of Foot c. 1878 |
| Lieutenant Colonel Royal Artillery c. 1860s |
| Ambulanceman in Foreign Service Order St. John's Ambulance Brigade c. 1900 |
| Private A. Matthews Cheshire Rifle Volunteers c. 1880s |
| Four Soldiers in Shirtsleeves 1890s |
| Trooper 17th Lancers c. 1900 |
| Lieutenant Henry Raymond Portal 2/the Gloucestershire Regiment September 1885 |
| Acting Sergeant Major Bangalore Rifle Volunteers c. 1902 |
| Private The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) c. 1885 |
| Lieutenant Francis Honorius Sisson Sitwell 63rd Foot/Durham Light Infantry c. 1880s |
| Private 38th (North Staffordshire) Regiment of Foot c. 1870s |
| Volunteer Rifleman Bath, Somerset, England c. 1870s |