William Henry Ralston joined the 70th Regiment as an ensign in December 1857, and served as a captain in New Zealand during the Maori War. He commanded the 70th from 20 June 1880 after they had campaigned in Afghanistan (mentioned in despatches). In 1881 he was CO when, in the reorganisation of the army, the 70th became the 2nd Battalion East Surreys. He led the regiment at Suakin in 1885 and was awarded the CB for his service in the Sudan. He retired in June 1885 and reached the rank of major-general. The blurred photo is a detail from a group photo of the officers of the 2nd Battalion in Dinapore in 1881.
