Corporal, The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment)), in full dress uniform, 1900 (c)

Watercolour by Percy William Reynolds, 1900 (c).

The 1881 Army Reforms merged several units to create county regiments. One of these was The Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex Regiment), formed by merging the 57th Regiment and the 77th Regiment, which both had an existing affiliation to Middlesex.The 57th became the new unit's 1st Battalion. In Britain at the time of the merger, its first overseas posting in its new form was Gibraltar in 1892. The 77th was in India when the amalgamation occurred, becoming the new regiment's 2nd Battalion and only returning to Britain in 1898.

Both battalions subsequently undertook garrison duties across the British Empire, including India, Malta and Aden. 2nd Battalion also served during the Boer War (1899-1902).

Two extra regular battalions, the 3rd and 4th, were formed in 1900 and these served on St Helena, in South Africa and Ireland.

From a series of 70 watercolours, 1900 (c).