'Fraternisation at Malta: Highlander and French Infantry soldier', 1854 (c)

Watercolour by Second Lieutenant William Thomas Markham (1830-1886), 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, 1854 (c).

Markham probably painted this scene of revelry between a British highlander and French soldier during his regiment's brief stop at Malta during their journey east. Malta was an important staging-point for British forces in the Mediterranean and as France was then an ally, her troops were allowed to land on the island before trans-shipping to steam vessels for the remainder of their voyage to Turkey.

From an album of watercolours and sketches by Colonel William Markham, 1820 (c) and Second Lieutenant William Thomas Markham, 1854 (c).

Purchased with the assistance of the Society of Friends of the National Army Museum.