Sowar Fazal Singh, 1st Punjab Cavalry, 1887 (c)

Photograph by Johnston and Hoffman, 22 Chowringhee Road, Calcutta, India, 1887 (c).

The contemporary caption describes Sowar Fazal Singh as 'Caste, Hazara Pathan', and records his enlistment date as 23 November 1878, height 5 foot 6.5 inches, and weight 9 stone 5 pounds. It notes his medal for the 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), with clasp, 'Ahmed Khel', and 3rd class Order of Merit 'for distinguished bravery at action of Patkau Shand; Mahsud Waziri expedition (1881)'. It gives a concise history of the soldier's unit and its current commanding officer is named as Colonel G C Bird.