| India, Ceylon, The North -West Frontier and Afghanistan. |
| Cabinet Photographs |
Cut from an album the
photograph at left depicts
Lieutenant John Keith of
Royal Artillery who was
killed by a tiger hunt with
brother officers in the
Wurdah District near
Nagpore, India.
near Nagpore, India.
Originally the only
information available
regard Lieutenant Keith
was that provided by his
Central India Times
obituary. Recently Mr.
Jerome Lantz of
www.hussards-photos.com
provided additonal facts
regrading this unfortunate
soldier/hunter including his
first name, the date of his
commision, when he
shipped out to India, his
unit within the Royal
Artillery, as well as the
year of his death - a fact
missing from the Central
India Times article.
The story also reflects the
additional fact that warfare
was not the only danger
facing British soldiers
posted overseas. While
disease was probably the
most common malady
afflicting officers and other
ranks serving in the
colonies, other more exotic
dangers - such as the
mentioned tiger attack also
lurked in the shadows.
Both items were found
mounted together on an
album page.
photograph at left depicts
Lieutenant John Keith of
Royal Artillery who was
killed by a tiger hunt with
brother officers in the
Wurdah District near
Nagpore, India.
near Nagpore, India.
Originally the only
information available
regard Lieutenant Keith
was that provided by his
Central India Times
obituary. Recently Mr.
Jerome Lantz of
www.hussards-photos.com
provided additonal facts
regrading this unfortunate
soldier/hunter including his
first name, the date of his
commision, when he
shipped out to India, his
unit within the Royal
Artillery, as well as the
year of his death - a fact
missing from the Central
India Times article.
The story also reflects the
additional fact that warfare
was not the only danger
facing British soldiers
posted overseas. While
disease was probably the
most common malady
afflicting officers and other
ranks serving in the
colonies, other more exotic
dangers - such as the
mentioned tiger attack also
lurked in the shadows.
Both items were found
mounted together on an
album page.
| Bombardier Sturgeon Royal Garrison Artillery c. 1890s |
| Two Unidentified Privates with Servant & Pets c. 1890 |
| Private Frank Smith with Bicycle c. 1890s |
| Unidentified Piper Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders c. 1899 |
| Lieutenant John Keith of the Royal Artillery Mounted Photograph 2 3/8 inches by 3 3/4 inches (6 x 9.5 cm) Unknown Date c. 1860's Unknown Location |
| Unidentified Private The Lincolnshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Sergeant in Turban Royal Engineers c. 1880s-90s |
| Unidentified Rifleman The Kings Royal Rifle Corps c. 1902 |
| Gunner George Thomas Sida Royal Artillery & 17th Lancer c. 1893 |
| Unidentified Farrier 12th (Prince of Wales) Lancers c. 1902 |
| Unidentified Private 1st Battalion The South Wales Borderers c. 1903 |
| Unidentified Drummer The Gordon Highlanders c. 1902 |
| Right: The original article from the April 27 (no year) edition of the Central India Times relating that story of the unfortunate Lt. Keith's fatal encounter with a tiger. |
| Drummer F. Hayter 2nd Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment c. 1894 |
| Unidentified Private The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Private 1st Battalion The York and Lancaster Regiment c. 1897 |
| Newsprint 2 7/8 inches by 5 3/4 inches (7.5 cm x 15 cm) |
| Cyclists The 3rd Kings Own Hussars & The 2nd Battalion, The Gordon Highlanders c. 1903 |
| Ch. R. Elasford? Unknown Regiment c. 1890s |
| Lance Corporal George Barton Meadows 1st Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Private 2nd Battalion The Derbyshire Regiment (Sherwood Foresters) c. 1888 |
| Unidentified Sergeant & Bandsman 2nd Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers c. 1900 |
| Staff Sergeant Inspectors of Military Schools c. 1890s |
Daniel Dravot - "You are going to become soldiers. A soldier does not think. He only obeys. Do you really think that if a soldier thought twice he'd
give his life for queen and country? Not bloody likely."
From the John Huston film of the Rudyard Kipling story The Man Who Would Be King
give his life for queen and country? Not bloody likely."
From the John Huston film of the Rudyard Kipling story The Man Who Would Be King
| Major Charles Bailey Royal Scots Fusiliers c. 1880s |
| 2nd Lieutenant Alexander McDonnell Moore 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Fusiliers January 1883 |
| Corporal Alfred Lilley 21st Hussars 25 April, 1871 |
| No. 2673 Sergeant John Madden 4th Battalion 60th Rifles 1877 |
| Sergeant William Meldrum 16th Lancers with Wife & Servant 1865 |
| Sergeant Edgar Job Evans and Mary J. Evans The Kings (Shropshire) Light Infantry c. 1900 |
| Surgeon Henry Charlesworth Army Medical Sevice December 1897 |
| Left: Colonel Frederick Rowcroft, Carte de Visite c. 1870's |
Colonel Frederick Rowcroft, 4th Battalion, The Gurkha Rifles, entered
Afghanistan with General Roberts after the massacre of the British Mission to
Kabul in 1879.
Forty-five years old at the time, Roycroft wrote a series of letters home to his
friend in London, Lachlan "Forky" Forbes and described the conditions in
Afghanistan that he and his men delt with - both due to the adverse climate as well
as the actions of the native Afghanis. Rowcroft was wounded in August of 1880.
After the end of the war Rowcroft retuned to India and assumed command of the
44th Sylhet Native Infantry but soon returned England and his home at Brighton
possibly due to illness since he dies not long afterward in 1883.
Afghanistan with General Roberts after the massacre of the British Mission to
Kabul in 1879.
Forty-five years old at the time, Roycroft wrote a series of letters home to his
friend in London, Lachlan "Forky" Forbes and described the conditions in
Afghanistan that he and his men delt with - both due to the adverse climate as well
as the actions of the native Afghanis. Rowcroft was wounded in August of 1880.
After the end of the war Rowcroft retuned to India and assumed command of the
44th Sylhet Native Infantry but soon returned England and his home at Brighton
possibly due to illness since he dies not long afterward in 1883.
| John S. Conder 14th King's Hussars & Servant c. 1881 |
| Pioneer Sergeant Arthur John Linington Lidstone Wills 2nd Battalion, The Suffolk Regiment c.1894 |
| Unidentified Officer 20th Hussars c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Colour-Sergeant & Family c. 1885 |
| Horace Pitt Kennedy Skipton Indian Police Service 1889 |
| Unidentified Trooper 12th (Prince of Wales) Lancers c. 1902 |
| Indian Havildar 1890s |
| Unidentified Royal Artillery Sergeant & family c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Gurkha Rifleman 1890's |
| Unidentified Boer War Veteran c. 1902 |
| Five Unidentified Veteran Soldiers Unknown Regiment Ceylon c. 1900 |
| Album Group 1st Battalion, 8th (The King's) Regiment of Foot c. 1868 |
| Privates Joe and John Stretton c. 1880's - 1900's |
| Riflemen of the 32nd Burmah & 39th Gwalior Regiments c. 1900 |
| Private William Beattie & Servant Unknown Regiment 1887 |
| Unidentified Royal Artillery Gunner c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Private with Colt Lightning Rifle Royal Warwickshire Regiment c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Sergeant Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders and Family c. 1900 |
| Right: An unidentified Jemadar 7th (Duke of Connaught's Own) Rajput Bengal Infantry Cabinet Photograph c. 1900s |
This cabinet photograph seems to depict a Jemadar of the 7th (Duke of
Connaught's Own) Rajput Bengal Infantry from sometime after 1900.
This regimental affiliation is indicated by the unique badge on this junior
officer's turban. The rank of Jemadar was the lowest commissioned rank
in the Indian Army and could be compared to the by then obsolete British
rank of sub-lieutenant or possibly that of warrant officer.
Pinned to the breast of his tunic this soldier wears the 1900 China Medal
which was issued to those troops who took part in the so-called Boxer
Rebellion of that same year. The 7th Rajputs formed part of the
international force under German Count von Waldersee that relieved the
foreign legations in Peking after the famous 55-day siege of that city.
Connaught's Own) Rajput Bengal Infantry from sometime after 1900.
This regimental affiliation is indicated by the unique badge on this junior
officer's turban. The rank of Jemadar was the lowest commissioned rank
in the Indian Army and could be compared to the by then obsolete British
rank of sub-lieutenant or possibly that of warrant officer.
Pinned to the breast of his tunic this soldier wears the 1900 China Medal
which was issued to those troops who took part in the so-called Boxer
Rebellion of that same year. The 7th Rajputs formed part of the
international force under German Count von Waldersee that relieved the
foreign legations in Peking after the famous 55-day siege of that city.
| Capt.George H. H. Couchman, D.S.O. Cabinet Photograph Belgaum, India c. 1887 |
Sometimes it is possible to attach an
identity to a face even when no name
is present on the photograph. Based
upon the apparent rank (captain) of
this soldier, his regiment (The
Somerset Light Infantry), the location
of the photograph (Belgaum, India)
and the fact that he is wearing the
India General Service Medal as well as
the Distinguished Service Order, I
have narrowed down the possibilities
identity to a face even when no name
is present on the photograph. Based
upon the apparent rank (captain) of
this soldier, his regiment (The
Somerset Light Infantry), the location
of the photograph (Belgaum, India)
and the fact that he is wearing the
India General Service Medal as well as
the Distinguished Service Order, I
have narrowed down the possibilities
to one man - Captain (and
future general) George Henry
Holbeche Couchman of
the Somerset Light Infantry.
George Henry Holbeche
Couchman was born on the
7th December 1859, the son
of Colonel E. H. Couchman of
the Royal Artillery a
daughter of Sir George
Cornish Whitlock.
Couchman married Miss
Helen Mary Chattock in 1899.
I have been unable to any
record of children resulting
from their union.
An outline of his service
career follows here:
future general) George Henry
Holbeche Couchman of
the Somerset Light Infantry.
George Henry Holbeche
Couchman was born on the
7th December 1859, the son
of Colonel E. H. Couchman of
the Royal Artillery a
daughter of Sir George
Cornish Whitlock.
Couchman married Miss
Helen Mary Chattock in 1899.
I have been unable to any
record of children resulting
from their union.
An outline of his service
career follows here:
| Achibald Francis Stewart Durham Light Infantry Indian Army June 1986 |
| Captain Patrick Carfrae Dalmaloy Indian Army c.1871 |
| Unidentified Trooper 9th Lancers 1880's |
| No. 3692 Colour-Sergeant Walter Anniss Riding Regiment & 6/Royal West Surrey Regiment Cabinet Photograph Lucknow, India December 30, 1904 |
Walter Anniss was
born in Balham,
Surrey on 26
February, 1876 the
son of Robert and
Elizabeth Anniss. He
received his
education at
Church School in
Isleworth.
He enlisted in the 1st
Battalion of the
Duke of Wellington's
West Riding
Regiment for twelve
years on 30 January
1893. At the time of
his enlistment he
was described as
born in Balham,
Surrey on 26
February, 1876 the
son of Robert and
Elizabeth Anniss. He
received his
education at
Church School in
Isleworth.
He enlisted in the 1st
Battalion of the
Duke of Wellington's
West Riding
Regiment for twelve
years on 30 January
1893. At the time of
his enlistment he
was described as
being 5 feet 5 3/4 inches tall,weighing 117 pounds with hazel eyes and dark brown hair. He
was alsodescribed as having a diamond tattoo on his right forearm and a cross/anchor
tattoo on his left forearm.
Promotions were as follows:
was alsodescribed as having a diamond tattoo on his right forearm and a cross/anchor
tattoo on his left forearm.
Promotions were as follows:
| Corporal - 15 May, 1895 Lance Sergeant - 19 November, 1895 Sergeant - 17 April, 1897 |
| Band Sergeant Albert John Warren 1st Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment 1902 |
| Four Military Policemen 2nd Battalion, The South Staffordshire Regiment c. 1903 |
| Lieutenant Leonard George Watkins Royal Artillery Indian Army Ordnance Dept. Cabinet Photograph Bourne & Shepherd Bombay, India 1886 |
Leonard George Watkins was born at Thrybergh, Yorkshire in 1860.
He was the son of Frederick Watkins and the former Miss Amelia
Millett. Frederick Watkins was at one time Her Majesty's Inspector
of Schools and later Archdeacon of York. He was also a friend and
correspondent of Charles Darwin from their days at Cambridge.
Leonard George Watkins was appointed a Gentleman Cadet at the
Royal Military Academy on 20 September, 1878. His promotions and
appointments were as follows:
He was the son of Frederick Watkins and the former Miss Amelia
Millett. Frederick Watkins was at one time Her Majesty's Inspector
of Schools and later Archdeacon of York. He was also a friend and
correspondent of Charles Darwin from their days at Cambridge.
Leonard George Watkins was appointed a Gentleman Cadet at the
Royal Military Academy on 20 September, 1878. His promotions and
appointments were as follows:
| Lieutenant - 27 July, 1880 Seconded to the Indian Ordnance Store Dept. - 19 September, 1886 Captain - 14 January, 1889 Major - 14 September, 1898 Lieutenant-Colonel - 15 July, 1908 Temporary Colonel/Inspector of Ordnance, Northern India - 16 November, 1910 Deputy Inspector General of Ordnance in India - 1 January, 1910 Colonel - 7 March, 1912 |
All of Watkins field service took place in India. He served in the 3rd
Burma War from 1885 to 1886, the North West Frontier (1897-98),
with the Tirah Expeditionary Force where he served as ordnance
officer on the lines of communications and received a Mention in
Despatches on 4 March, 1898 from General Sir William Lockhart.
Burma War from 1885 to 1886, the North West Frontier (1897-98),
with the Tirah Expeditionary Force where he served as ordnance
officer on the lines of communications and received a Mention in
Despatches on 4 March, 1898 from General Sir William Lockhart.
Privates No. 4533 Arthur Ponder and No. 4479 Alfred Richardson
of the 2nd Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment as they appear in a set
of memorial cabinet photographs that were probably produced for
members of their battalion after the tragedy at the Fallelie Canal
at Hyderabad that took both their lives on 20 June, 1902.
of the 2nd Battalion, the Suffolk Regiment as they appear in a set
of memorial cabinet photographs that were probably produced for
members of their battalion after the tragedy at the Fallelie Canal
at Hyderabad that took both their lives on 20 June, 1902.
| Lance Corporal E. May "E" Company 2nd Battalion The Royal Scots September, 1902 |
| Unidentified Rifle Sergeant & Family c. 1900 |
| Unidentified Corporal 1st Battalion The Royal Welsh Fusiliers c. 1894 |
| Private William Henry Wherry 2nd Battalion, 10th Regiment of Foot Carte de Visite India c. 1865 |
Quite often military records give one
nothing more than an outline of a
soldier’s days with the colours but every
so often one can find hidden within
those same records a clue to the real
character of that same soldier. That is
the case of No. 543 William Henry
Wherry of the 2nd Battalion, 10th
Regiment of Foot.
William Henry Wherry was born around
1841 at Newross, Wexford, Ireland. To
date nothing has been found relating to
his parentage.
At the time of his attestation on 19
August, 1858 his trade was given as
blacksmith so one might assume that
this was a family calling.
Attesting with the 10th Regiment of
Foot with the stated age of 17 he stood 5
feet, 8 ½ inches tall and weighed 146
pounds. After one short year he deserted
nothing more than an outline of a
soldier’s days with the colours but every
so often one can find hidden within
those same records a clue to the real
character of that same soldier. That is
the case of No. 543 William Henry
Wherry of the 2nd Battalion, 10th
Regiment of Foot.
William Henry Wherry was born around
1841 at Newross, Wexford, Ireland. To
date nothing has been found relating to
his parentage.
At the time of his attestation on 19
August, 1858 his trade was given as
blacksmith so one might assume that
this was a family calling.
Attesting with the 10th Regiment of
Foot with the stated age of 17 he stood 5
feet, 8 ½ inches tall and weighed 146
pounds. After one short year he deserted
| Edward VII type Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal presented to No. 2442 Colour Sergeant Wilfred Henry Hobson of the Gordon Highlanders in 1907. |
from his regiment on 18 August
1859 and rejoined on 17 October of
the same year. Sentenced to
imprisonment he was confined...
1859 and rejoined on 17 October of
the same year. Sentenced to
imprisonment he was confined...
| Above: An album group of cabinet photograph featuring Anglo-Boer War veteran Sergeant Major Alexander Millar DCM (left) of the 2nd Battalion, The Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) taken in India c. 1910. The center image depicts Bandsman Johnie Lawson also of the 2/Black Watch and the image at left shows three unidentified members of the same battalion. The center seated soldier is also a veteran of the Anglo-Boer War. |
This three photograph album group
dating from around 1910 features an
outstanding identified full length portrait
of bemedaled No. 4007 Sergeant Major
Alexander Millar of the 2nd Battalion, The
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Millar's
photograph bears an old pencil inscription
that reads: "Sergeant Major Miller [sic]
promoted from Quartermaster Sergeant
12/1910."
Even without the slightly misspelled
notation the fact that the image depicts a
very senior NCO of the Black Watch who
is wearing the Distinguished Conduct
Medal, a four clasped Queen's South
Africa Medal, the King's South Africa
Medal and the Long Service & Good
Conduct medal his true identity would
probably been uncovered without too
many difficulties. As in so many cases the
full identity of Bandsman Johnie Lawson
has proved rather difficult to determine
even though his photograph bears two
pencil inscriptions on its reverse - one in
his hand and one in another's.
dating from around 1910 features an
outstanding identified full length portrait
of bemedaled No. 4007 Sergeant Major
Alexander Millar of the 2nd Battalion, The
Black Watch (Royal Highlanders). Millar's
photograph bears an old pencil inscription
that reads: "Sergeant Major Miller [sic]
promoted from Quartermaster Sergeant
12/1910."
Even without the slightly misspelled
notation the fact that the image depicts a
very senior NCO of the Black Watch who
is wearing the Distinguished Conduct
Medal, a four clasped Queen's South
Africa Medal, the King's South Africa
Medal and the Long Service & Good
Conduct medal his true identity would
probably been uncovered without too
many difficulties. As in so many cases the
full identity of Bandsman Johnie Lawson
has proved rather difficult to determine
even though his photograph bears two
pencil inscriptions on its reverse - one in
his hand and one in another's.
| Unidentified Hussar Wearing Father's Medals c. 1890s |
| General Cecil James East & Staff Secunderabad, India 1891 |
| "Ball Room Trophy" 102nd Regiment of Native Bombay Infantry 1888 |
| Unidentified Private 85th Regiment of Foot 27 March, 1869 |
| Private George Barton 4th Hussars c.1897 |