'Benin Chiefs - Hostages', 1897

Photograph, Benin Expedition, 1897.

Four Benin chiefs being held as hostages, West Africa, 1897. The Benin Expedition, also known as the Benin Massacre, was a British punitive expedition in response to an ambush made against a British party led by Acting Consul General James Philips. In retaliation, Benin City was captured, burned and looted.

From a photograph album of 174 photographs compiled by Major N Burrows, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, 1893-1897.