This week’s photograph is a magnificent study of a British Army column on the move through rural India between the wars:
The column appears to be a light artillery unit and is entirely mounted, the officers leading on their chargers:
A small group of mounted troopers follows close behind:
Whilst the main column trails behind. There appears to be a succession of guns and limbers, each pulled by four or six horses, with the gun crews either riding pillion or on the limber itself:
The column stretches away into the distance, curving round behind the bridge and shrouded in dust from the horses’ hooves:
In the background a native village sits next to the road, its peaceful slumber rudely awoken by the passing troops:
Behind this column would have trailed a large gaggle of hangers on, everything from cooks and servants to prostitutes and acrobats, all trying to part the soldier form his cash. Marches typically set off early in the morning before the sun became too hot and an advance part was sent ahead of the main column to prepare the following night’s camp. The camp was usually pitched near a small village or town and by the time the slow moving column reached it, hot and dusty, it would be ready for them. Apart for a few sentries, most men were then free to relax and visit the shops if the settlement was small enough. Any large town usually led to an order to remain in camp overnight. The following morning the camp was squared away and the process repeated until the column reached its final destination.
