The British camp at Landi Kotal, 1919

Photograph by Randolph Bezzant Holmes (1888-1973), 3rd Afghan War, 1919.

Landi Kotal was a British post at the western mouth of the Khyber Pass. In May 1919 it witnessed one of the first engagements of the 3rd Afghan War when the water supply to the post from the nearby settlement of Bagh was cut and several labourers working for the British were killed by armed tribesmen under the command of Zar Shah. The Afghan regular army then advanced across the frontier in support. Following this, the British garrison at Landi Kotal was expanded to brigade-size and on 11 May they captured Bagh, restoring the water supply and driving the enemy back across the border in the process.

From an album of 74 photographs compiled by Neville John Gordon Cameron, 1st Bn Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders.