Banquet Hall, Royal Pavilion, Brighton, East Sussex, 1866

Photograph, 1866. From an album compiled by Colonel Montagu Hall.

The Brighton Pavilion was built as a royal retreat for George, Prince of Wales, the Prince Regent (later King George IV). The building was developed in the Indo-Islamic style by John Nash between 1815 and 1822. During World War One (1914-1918) the Royal Pavilion was converted into a hospital where many Indian Army casualties were treated.

Montagu Hall (1831-1904) was born 27 August 1831, in Bristol. He served in the 2nd Burma War (1852-1853) and the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859). Fighting with the 1st Bengal European Fusiliers, he participated in the relief and capture of Lucknow. He is recorded as gaining the rank of captain, serving with the 101st Regiment of Foot (Royal Bengal Fusiliers), on 30 July 1862. He retired as an Honorary Colonel 13 June 1883 and died at Ryde on the Isle of Wight on 12 March 1904, aged 72.