Cavalry Retreat, Household Cavalry, 1895 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1895 (c).

This image comes from a collection of glass plate negatives associated with William Gregory and Company. The negatives depict the British Army, including some members of the colonial forces, 'at home' in Britain during the 1890s.

As well as being intimate portraits of soldiers from this era, the images provide detailed illustrations of uniforms worn during the high point of military tailoring.

Cavalry drill trained cavalrymen and horses to work together during a battle, allowing them to charge, retreat, reform and charge again as a single unit.

One of a collection of 278 glass negatives associated with Gregory and Company, London, and F G O Stuart, 1892 (c)-1900.