Lance-Corporal Piper J Graham stands near other NCOs of the Cameron Highlanders, photographed in Egypt in 1882 shortly before the battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Graham appears at first sight to wear a similar scarlet uniform to the others but the square shaped buttons on his frock and the slightly darker shade of the material indicates that he is wearing a green frock, the undress version of the pipers’ dress doublet. It is embellished with white braid on the cuffs, collar, shoulder straps and false pocket flaps. His single rank stripe is a chevron of white tape on his right sleeve only. The collar has two regimental badges on the front.
The white straps on his chest are similar to those worn by the others; the shoulder straps attached to his waist-belt cross over at the back and are used to support a valise and greatcoat which are not carried here. The waist-belt supports a dirk on his right side. The straps crossed on his chest are a canvas haversack strap on his right shoulder and a slim leather strap for his water-bottle on the left shoulder. He wears a Cameron of Erracht tartan kilt with a special pattern sporran. The grey goat’s hair has two white tassels and the black cantle has a white metal top edge distinguished with three small knobs. The badge on the front is the same as worn by the other NCOs, a thistle wreath surrounding St Andrew and his cross.
The other men in the photo are, next to Graham; Colour-Sergeant Chapman who was wounded in the battle on 13 Sep 1882. Behind him is Lance-Corporal Cattanach who died of his wounds after the battle. Behind Graham is Corporal Christie who was a driver.
