Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Napier, 6th Dragoon Guards, 1875

Oil on canvas by T C Porter, 1875.

Napier's regiment was serving at home when this work was completed, but in December 1877 they were sent to India on garrison duty. The following year he led his men into Afghanistan where their duties consisted of escort and transport tasks along the Khyber lines of communication, including taking the ex-Amir, Yakub Khan, back to India as a prisoner. They also took part in several reprisals against the rebellious tribes in the Khyber area, including the actions at Ali Boghan and Daka in January 1880. Before returning to India in August 1880, the 6th Dragoons (The Carabiniers) were also engaged against the Waziris and Ghilzai tribesmen at different times.