Generals Valentine Baker Pasha and Hicks Pasha, and staff, Cairo, 1883

Photograph, Egypt, 1883.

Valentine Baker joined the Army in 1848 and saw active service during the Crimean War (1854-1856). From 1860 to 1873, he commanded the 10th Hussars but in 1875, he was dismissed from the service following a charge of indecent assault. He then entered the service of the Sultan of Turkey, fighting in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878. From 1882 until his death, 'Baker Pasha', as he was known, commanded the Egyptian police, fighting with his men during the 1st Sudan War (1882-1885).

William Hicks was a retired British officer who had seen service in the Indian Mutiny (1857-1859) and in Abyssinia (1867-1868).