Coldstream Guards at Scutari


Men of the regiment relax at Scutari where they stayed for six weeks in May/June 1854. Scutari is in mainland Turkey on the south side of the Bosphorus. The photograph, by James Robertson, shows Constantinople in the background. There are five men in full dress on the left wearing white summer trousers. Two knapsacks lie on the ground and others stand or lounge around in undress. Time was spent in sport, games and parades. On 24th May there was a grand review to celebrate the Queen's birthday. One major from a line regiment wrote, 'In the evening the Guards illuminated their camp and an obelisk made of evergreens. They made a great row half the night through, much to the discomfort of the rest of the camp who had to be up at 4 o'clock in the morning, and do harder work!' On 31st May the regiment was inspected by the Sultan of Turkey, Abdul Medjid.


Regimental details


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by Stephen Luscombe