In 1854 the British Army was committed to its first major war, namely the Crimean War (1853-1856), against a European power since 1815. The expeditionary force, or 'Army of the East', was despatched to Turkey nominally to support the Ottoman Empire in its war with Russia; but in reality to check, in alliance with France and later Sardinia, Russian ambitions for an outlet to the Mediterranean. Despite many failures in the conduct of operations and administration, the war was won in two years and Russian designs on the Balkans and Levant were thwarted for two decades.

In the period of reform following the Crimean War, the British Army's main role reverted to the security and consolidation of the Empire and its trade, resulting in campaigns large and small all over the world. From the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59, to campaigns in the North-West Frontier, Canada, New Zealand and the Transvaal, the British Army fought to protect its Empire and thwart the expansion of encroaching nations. This book, the third in a series of four, outlines these campaigns and details the fighting methods, uniforms, equipment and weapons of the British Army.

The Army of 1882 had just emerged from the many modernizing reforms effected between 1856-81. These included: opening of schools of instruction; abolition of the purchase of commissions; improvements in pay, living conditions and disciplinary measures and new weapons and tactics. By these later years of the 19th century the British Army had become the policeman of a vast global Empire. This volume in the acclaimed British Army on Campaign mini-series details the uniforms, organisation and equipment used in a succession of campaigns across the face of the globe. Michael Barthorp's splendid text is accompanied by numerous illustrations including eight colour plates by Pierre Turner.