|
|
|
 |
| The men of the 23rd Madras Light Infantry practice the drill for receiving a cavalry charge. The original caption under the photo when it was published in Dec 1897 was: "Square, Ready!" - A Warm Welcome for the Cavalry. They are armed with the Martini-Henry Rifle which was first issued to the British army in 1874. For British troops it was replaced around 1890 with the Lee Metford, but Indian soldiers were mostly several years behind with new issues. The Martini-Henry used a bullet of .45 inch calibre and could fire at 12 rounds a minute. The bayonet they are using is the socket type, 22 inches long. They are in khaki service dress which has brass buttons and a badge on each shoulder. They all seem to have long service chevrons on their left fore-arm. Behind them is an Indian officer pointing forward, and an Havildar. |
Armed Forces | Art and Culture | Articles | Biographies | Colonies | Discussion | Glossary | Home | Library | Links | Map Room | Sources and Media | Science and Technology | Search | Student Zone | Timelines | TV & Film | Wargames
