TOPIC:

This picture is annotated in the bottom right with the words 'Soldiers from the Queen Victoria's Black Watch Guard'.

It depicts men of the Coldstream Guards very probably in South Africa.

Can anyone explain the Black Watch Guard?

With thanks
David

David
No answer, I fear. "8834 Pte Milburn R" of the Coldstreams had a good number of clasps on his QSA - but no other roll annotation I could see. I suppose the pic would have been taken whilst Her Majesty was still alive; however why members of the Coldstreams would describe themselves as "Black Watch Guard" puzzles me. A touch of humour after extended, hard field service could be the answer.
I did observe that some of the illustrated chaps wore the early, "disposable" woven cotton Mills bandoliers - while at least one (kneeling, second from Right) wears a Mauser bandolier. That can help roughly date the pic.
My guess: pic taken early-mid 1900 after some hard work and some wag having a dig at the Black Watch.
Regards
IL.

IL,

Some very useful insights - thank you!

When I read the title of the photo my though were that they may have been members of the funeral party but that seems unlikely. The CG served into 1902 and Milburn earned KSA (2).

The mystery continues!