Order of Merit Sepoys, 23rd (Punjab) Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Pioneers), 1879

Photograph by John Burke, 2nd Afghan War (1878-1880), 1879.

Pioneers were soldiers who could serve as infantry, but whose main role involved carrying out engineering and labouring tasks. All of the pioneers in this photograph had been awarded the Order of Merit (OM) for gallantry in battle. Until 1911, when Indian personnel became eligible for the Victoria Cross, the First Class OM was the highest award available for Indian troops. The recipients of all three classes of the order received increased pay and pension allowances and were very highly regarded by their peers.

From an album of 60 photographs by John Burke.