Armed Gallery

Natal Native Contingent (NCC) armed with assegais

Photograph of members of the Natal Native Contingent (NCC) armed with assegais (short spears) and shields, 1879 (c). The NNC was formed in 1878 to bolster the defences of the British colony of Natal. Most recruits came from the Basuto and Mponso tribes. NNC troops wore their traditional tribal apparel with a red cloth bandanna around their foreheads, the only item to distinguish them from Zulu warriors who were traditional enemies of the Basuto and Mponso. Natal?s white population had long feared that arming the black population would constitute a security risk, and as a result only a small percentage of NNC soldiers were issued with guns. These were obsolete muzzle-loading muskets rather than modern rifles. Soldiers issued with firearms were only given four rounds of ammunition at any one time. Most NNC soldiers fought with traditional African weapons during the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). From album of 70 photographs, associated with Zulu War (1879). Associated with Col Hume, 94th Regiment of Foot. Date: 1879

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library

Ships of the P&O, Cunard, Orient, Union and Guion Lines, 188

Engravings of the steamships 'Lusitania', 'Khiva', 'Mexican', 'Australia', 'Arizona', 'Zambesi', 'Poonah', 'Nepaul', 'Ganges', 'Geelong', 'Rosetta', 'Umbria' and 'Etruria' (left to right, top to bottom). These ships, from the P&O, Cunard, Orient, Union and Guion Lines, were among 150 merchant vessels that the British Government could have taken over to act as Armed Cruisers in the event of a war with Russia.

© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans

Sudan - A group of Hadendoa Warriors

Sudan - A group of Hadendoa Warriors. The Hadendoa is the name of a nomadic subdivision of the Beja people, known for their support of the Mahdiyyah rebellion during the 1880s to 1890s. The area historically inhabited by the Hadendoa is today parts of Sudan, Egypt and Eritrea. Their elaborate hairdressing (pictured here) gained them the name of "Fuzzy-wuzzies" among the British troops during the Mahdist War. Date: circa 1920s

© Mary Evans / Grenville Collins Postcard Collection