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.

Record of historical events

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

THOMAS RICHARD WILLIAMS (1825-71)

Soldiers from the Royal Marines who served in the Crimean War

1883 copy after June 1855 original

Carbon print | 10.2 x 12.8 cm (image) | RCIN 2500146

Photograph of five soldiers from the Royal Marines who served in the Crimean War. They are gathered on a street corner around a metal post, three standing and two sitting on the road. All are wearing military uniform and the Crimean Medal. A man wearing civilian clothes is standing to the far right, writing in a notebook. This photograph, printed by Jabez Hughes in 1883, is a carbon print pasted over the original photograph.

These soldiers were awarded the Crimean Medal by Queen Victoria on 18th May 1855 and were later photographed by T R Williams in Portsmouth.
  • Creator(s)

    Thomas Richard Williams (1825-71) (photographer)

    Jabez Hughes (1819-84) (printer)

    Subject(s)

    William Chast, Corporal (active 1855)
    Corporal William Chase (active 1855)
    Private Charles Fletcher (active 1855)
    Sergeant Henry Edsk (active 1855)
    Benjamin Bush, Private (fl.1855)
    Timothy Lyons Private (fl.1855)
    Navy-GB-Marines
    Royal Navy
  • 10.2 x 12.8 cm (image)

    29.5 x 23.1 cm (page dimensions)

  • A group of Royal Marines, c.1855 [in Crimean Portraits, 1854 - 1856]

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Arts, Recreation, Entertainment & Sport
      • Plastic arts
        • Numismatics
          • Medals
            • Campaign medals
              • Crimea Medal (1854-56)
      • Architecture
        • Buildings
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Clothing
          • Costume
            • Uniforms
              • Naval Uniforms
              • Military uniforms
    • Social sciences
      • Military affairs
        • Wars, Campaigns & Battles
          • Wars
            • Wars of the nineteenth century
              • Crimean War (1853-1856)
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Great Britain
          • England
            • Hampshire [England]
              • Portsmouth [Hampshire]
                • Portsmouth Dockyards [Portsmouth]
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs