Wounded soldiers seen by Queen Victoria at Brompton Barracks, Chatham

Photograph of a large group of wounded Crimean War veterans gathered outside Brompton Barracks at Chatham Military Hospital. There are around fifty men, with two rows seated and those behind standing. They are wearing hospital clothing and many are holding crutches. This photograph is a loose copy of the original (2500162.a) which is accompanied by a hand drawn key of the men, probably by Queen Victoria, with a list below detailing their names, regiments and details of their injuries which was compiled by J George Dartnell.

In 1855, when the first batch of wounded men returned from the Crimean War, Queen Victoria invited a small group of veterans to Buckingham Palace. The sight of these 'mutilated' men so affected her that the speech of welcome she had prepared 'all stuck in my throat' and she had to excuse herself from it for fear of breaking down. Though such encounters were distressing, the Queen met as many of the wounded as possible and showed a personal interest in their recovery. Her frequent visits with Prince Albert to the military hospital at Chatham were immediately followed up by detailed reports from the medical staff on the health of the men they had seen and photographers were commissioned to take portraits of individuals or groups that had been of particular interest.