Polo. An identified medical officer, serving with the 2nd Bombay Lancers. with his ponies.

A good, well toned, 11 x 8½ ins, full plate photograph on an old album leaf titled Lyons with his four polo ponies 1896. We know from other evidence from the broken album from which this leaf came that the officer shown here is Surgeon Robert William Steele Lyons, M.D., M.Ch. in medical charge of the 2nd Bombay Lancers.  He held this post from 1888 and the regiment was based at Neemuch. Since its adoption after the Mutiny polo had become one of the most popular sports in India amongst aristocratic Indians and British Army Officers, especially those in cavalry regiments. Lyons wears white with a military pattern helmet, holding a white pony, and his syces hold the three black ones. The reverse of the leaf has images of property in Killarney.   nov26/5