King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

The King's Own in the Victorian and Edwardian Era

Pax Britannica?

From the end of the Crimean War until the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Britain was not engaged in any conflicts with its European rivals. This period became known as the ‘Pax Britannica’- the British Peace. However, the British Army was involved in a series of colonial wars and local skirmishes. When not involved in combat, the British Army was often used to police the colonies, maintaining control over the native populations and guarding the frontiers. Soldiers would have experienced a number of military duties, including administration and defence.
Members of both the British military and the diplomatic service overseas had to deal with the diverse local populations, whether Indian Princes or African Tribal leaders. One such individual may have been Tipoo Tib (1837-1905). A trader, notorious slaver, plantation owner and governor, Tipoo Tib worked for a succession of Sultans of Zanzibar leading trading expeditions in East Africa. Whilst building a trading empire, he met and aided several famous western explorers including Henry Morton Stanley. Tipoo Tib died of Malaria in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
The British Empire extended over nearly one fifth of the earth’s surface and almost one quarter of the world’s population. Decades, and in some cases, centuries of British rule and migration are reflected in the multi-cultural Britain in which we live today, as well as in our language, sport, food, dress and politics.
 

The Regimental Barracks, Imtarfa, Malta, 1896.
Accession Number: KO0594/02-11


1st Battalion King’s Own Royal Regiment, Trooping the Colour at Palace Square, Malta, 1895.
Accession Number: KO0594/02-09


1st Battalion King’s Own shoemakers’ shop, Burma circa 1906.






Accession Number: KO1783/01


Tipoo Tib, Zanzibar, 1896.
Accession Number: KO0809/01-51


1st Battalion, King’s Own, on parade, Singapore, January 1900.

Accession Number: KO0594/02-33


Officers and Non-commissioned men of the 1st Battalion at Devonport, 1882.
Accession Number: KO0431/01