This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

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Record of historical events

Victoria and Albert collected photographs that documented the political and military events that defined a period of global expansion

    WILLIAM BAMBRIDGE

    Wounded Grenadier Guards who served in the Crimean War

    1883 copy after March 1855 original

    Carbon print | 11.6 x 14.6 cm (image) | RCIN 2500127

    Photograph of a group of eight soldiers from the Grenadier Guards who were wounded during the Crimean War. Five are standing and three are seated. All are wearing military uniform including winter coats. Several have injured arms or are holding a stick. Part of Wellington Barracks can be seen behind. This photograph, printed by Jabez Hughes in 1883, is a carbon print pasted over the original photograph. Around the photograph there are handwritten notes identifying the men by name and army number and giving details of their injuries and how they were sustained.

    This photograph is one of the first portraits of wounded Crimean War veterans commissioned by Queen Victoria, and pre-dates Roger Fenton's arrival in the Crimea.

    • Creator(s)

      William Bambridge (photographer)

      Jabez Hughes (1819-84) (printer)

      Subject(s)

      Private James Blow
      Private William Gallier (active 1855)
      Private George Green
      Private James Simpson (fl.1855)
      Private John Alexander (active 1855)
      Private William Dry
      Army-GB-Infantry-Foot Guards (1st or Grenadier) (1819- )

    • 11.6 x 14.6 cm (image)

      29.5 x 23.1 cm (page dimensions)

    • Group of wounded Grenadier Guards, c. 1856 [in Crimean War Crimean Portraits, 1854 - 1856]

    • Acquired by Queen Victoria

    • Subject(s)
      • Science, Medicine and Technology
        • Industries, Crafts and Trades
          • Clothing
            • Costume
              • Uniforms
                • Military uniforms
      • Places
        • Europe
          • Great Britain
            • England
              • Greater London [England]
                • London [Greater London]
                  • City of Westminster [London]
                    • Wellington Barracks
      • Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
        • Architecture
          • Buildings
      • Social sciences
        • Military affairs
          • Wars, Campaigns & Battles
            • Wars
              • Wars of the nineteenth century
                • Crimean War (1853-1856)
      Object type(s)
        • visual works
          • photographs
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