The 2nd Lancers arrived in France at Marseilles and were camped at Orleans during the winter of 1914/15. This photo was probably taken in the spring of 1915 before the regiment was sent to the Western Front. The lance is without a pennon and the equipment includes an ammunition bandolier, a Sam Browne belt with a bayonet for his .303 rifle. He has a sword attached to his saddle with a bag of food for his horse. Helmets were issued to all British troops in 1916, although Sikhs were exempt from wearing them and retained their lungis.
