Captain Tristram Speedy in Abyssinian dress, 1868

Photograph, Abyssinia, 1868.

Tristram Charles Sawyer Speedy (1836-1911) served with the British Army on the North West Frontier of India. An explorer and adventurer, in the early 1860s Speedy was hired by the Emperor Tewodros II (or King Theodore) of Abyssinia to train his troops. In 1868 Speedy was recalled to assist the British expedition to Abyssinia. Speedy accompanied Theodore's son Prince Alemayehu back to England where he was introduced to Queen Victoria.

An Army photographic team, attached to the 10th Company, Royal Engineers, led by Sergeant John Harrold, accompanied the British force that took the Abyssinian fortress of Magdala in April 1868.