A soldier of the 1st Chinese Regiment, in full dress, 1900 (c)

Oil on board by unknown artist, 1900 (c).

The Chinese soldier is dressed in drill order with a slouch hat. The 1st Chinese Regiment was raised in 1898 and consisted of Chinese troops under the command of British officers and senior NCOs. Its main task was to protect the British territory of Wei Hai Wei (now Weihai) a base for the Royal Navy's China Station. The regiment was disbanded in 1903 after the territory was transferred from War Office control to the Colonial Office. It did however see active service during the 3rd China War (Boxer Rebellion) (1900).