The figure on the right wears the undress scarlet frock with government tartan trews tucked into black gaiters. He has a blue cloth‑covered home service helmet which was discontinued in 1904. Strapped to his back is Slade‑Wallace valise equipment that consists of the valise high on his back, and a rolled greatcoat at waist level. Mess tins in an oilskin cover are strapped to the greatcoat. He has a canvas haversack which is folded and can be seen to cover the bayonet scabbard. A slim strap on his left shoulder supports a water‑bottle on his right hip. There are two white leather ammunition pouches attached to the front of his waist‑belt. He holds his Lee‑Metford Rifle with sword bayonet attached.
Next to him is a similarly equipped soldier, but who wears a dark green tunic or undress frock. He is probably from a Rifle Volunteer unit connected to the KOSB. At this time there were four Volunteer battalions and a Militia battalion, all under the umbrella administration of the KOSB.
The lance‑corporal standing bare‑headed shows the frock tunic as having six brass buttons down the front. The blue collar has brass regimental badges, and the scarlet shoulder straps appear to have no regimental titles as on the dress tunic.
The picture is a detail showing part of a painting by Frank Wood. It depicts the interior of the guardroom at Berwick Barracks in 1895. The civilian is Mr Malloy, the canteen manager, telling a tale of the Afghan campaign to the Depot KOSB guard.
