2-913-898 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Camp of the 21st Fusiliers, on the Heights of Sebastopol, 1854. Crimean War: British soldiers repairing uniforms, cooking, and cleaning guns. In the distance is the harbour of Sebastopol, with Royal Navy warships on the Black Sea beyond. The troops were '...all in high spirits, and eager to get into the stronghold of the Russians. Though they suffered at first from want of many necessaries, and especially from the necessity of sleeping in the open air, their health was not materially altered. There were, however, sundry cases of cholera and fever; and we have to regret the loss of some valuable officers...One soldier...had a narrow escape. He was kneeling at his fire when he heard the whiz of a round shot, he threw himself backward, and this saved his life. The shot passed over his shoulder, carried off his chin-strap, and smashed his rifle, which was by him'. From "Illustrated London News", 1854.