10" x 8" glass plate negative showing three soldiers from the 72nd (Duke of Albany's Own Highlanders) Regiment of Foot who served in the Crimean War. From right to left are William Noble, Alexander Dawson and John Harper. Dawson is standing in the middle with a knee resting on a case. Noble and Harper are seated to either side. All are wearing Scottish military uniform including tartan trousers and they are all holding a rifle.

Throughout the war Queen Victoria had taken an active interest in the welfare of the troops and on their return from the Crimea she met a number of the veterans at Buckingham Palace, Chatham Military Hospital and Aldershot Garrison. Following these meetings she commissioned a series of photographs of the veterans from the photographers Joseph Cundall and Robert Howlett. 

The glass plate negative has been photographed showing the coated side and therefore the image appears laterally reversed. Prints from this negative exist in the Collection (e.g. RCIN 2500220).