Seated, left: Subadar-Major Magar Singh, Bahadur, 26th Punjabis. His uniform is khaki with scarlet collar and cuffs. His turban is also khaki. The 26th had retained that number since 1861. They were raised during the Indian Mutiny of 1857 as the 18th Punjab Infantry.
Seated, right: Risaldar Kala Singh, Bahadur, 2nd Lancers (Gardner’s Horse). This officer wears a blue kurta with pale blue facings.
Standing, left: Risaldar Tilok Singh, Sardar Bahadur, 31st Duke of Connaught’s Own Lancers. Prior to 1903 this regiment was the 1st (Duke of Connaught’s Own) Bombay Lancers. The uniform was changed in 1903, from green with scarlet facings and gold lace, to blue with scarlet facings and silver lace. His pouch-belt is obscured by his Order of Merit award but it appears to be gold laced so he probably wears the green kurta. A post on Facebook by Mini Ahluwalia says this:
According to the Centre for Armed Forces Historical Research (CAFHR):
"Risaldar Major Tilok Singh, Bhadur, OBI, RVM joined the British Indian Army on 29th August 1876. He was honoured with the title of “Bhadur” and was awarded the Royal Victorian Order Medal in 1904. He was one of four VCOs chosen from the entire Indian Army as His Majesty's Aide-de-camp (ADC); he was sent to England on ceremonial duty with the King! He fought in the 2nd Afghan War from 1879 to 1880 and the Anglo-Burmese Wars during 1885-89. He retired in 1909, 5 years prior to the outbreak of World War One. He passed away in the year 1925. He lived long enough to see his son (my grandfather) distinguish himself with credit and honour in the Great War".
Standing, right: Subadar-Major Atar Singh, Bahadur, 76th Punjabis. Prior to 1903 this regiment was the 16th Madras Infantry. His uniform is a long-skirted scarlet tunic with emerald green collar and cuffs. The turban is khaki with a green fringe.
The British officer in command of the 1904 King’s Indian Orderlies was Captain A. E. McBarnet DSO, an officer of the 25th Cavalry (Frontier Force), formerly the 5th Punjab Cavalry.
