Soldier, 7th (Duke of Connaught's Own Rajputs) Regiment of Bengal Infantry, 1897 (c)

Glass negative, W Gregory and Company, 51 Strand, London, 1897 (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.

Small contingents of soldiers representing Colonial Forces came to the United Kingdom for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee celebrations in 1897, as well as participating in various Royal Tournaments during this period.

The soldier, possibly a sepoy, stands in front of a ship and holds a bugle with its strap across his chest. He wears a fringed khaki turban with a regimental badge, and loose-fitting khaki pyjama trousers tucked into puttees. These were long pieces of cloth that were wound around the lower legs to protect them. Three good conduct chevrons on his lower sleeve indicate 12 years good service.

One of a collection of 280 glass negatives, associated with Gregory and Company, London, and F G O Stuart, 1893 (c)-1900.