K Company, Malta 1867

This photo shows K Company, but which battalion of the King’s Regiment is not clear. Both battalions were in Malta in 1867 where the photo was taken. Several different orders of dress and appointments are to be found in this group. They are mainly rank and file infantrymen but there are two officers on the left, wearing blue patrol jackets and forage caps with the number 8 and circular regimental badges. The men are wearing the dress tunic, some with a shako but most wearing the blue peakless forage cap, tilted to their right side. Some have a broad white shoulder belt for their ammunition pouch, and a smaller white ‘expense’ pouch attached to the right side of their waist-belt. They hold rifles which may be the Snider rifle issued to the army from 1866 to 1874. Their white rifle slings are tightened for drill. They have socket bayonets in scabbards on their left hip. Sergeants had long sword bayonets, one of which can be seen attached to his rifle in the top right of the photo. One man is in marching order, at the back of the group near the middle. He has a canvas haversack belt on his right shoulder and a knapsack on his back.
Two men attached to the Company have special appointments; one is the drummer who stands at the front holding a bugle. He wears a different tunic decorated with lace that has a blue fleur de lys pattern running through it. He is one of the few to have a medal. The other appointee is a pioneer, standing on the right of the photo. He has a beard and a dark leather shoulder strap. He has a single good conduct stripe on his right forearm.

Regimental Details | Uniforms