British native African soldiers with officer.

This photo postcard shows a line of black African soldiers, all with at least one rank stripe. I believe one must count the number of dark stripes to identify the man as lance-corporal, corporal, or sergeant. Their uniforms are identical except for one man with a blouse without buttons or pockets. The British officer on the left wears no visible insignia, but his tropical helmet is a peculiar pattern associated with African units. My guess for the date is sometime between 1910 and 1940.

Page by Mark Conrad, 2011.