Members of the Tibet mission escort, New Chumbi, 1903 (b/w photo)

Members of the Tibet mission escort, New Chumbi, 1903. Photograph by Major M R E Ray, Tibet (1903-1904), 1903. General James Macdonald (seated centre) commanded the Tibet mission’s military escort. He is shown here flanked by members of his staff including Colonel Austine Waddell (seated second right), Major Igggulden (seated second left) and Major Bretherton (standing first right) who drowned during the crossing of the River Tsangpo. The mission to Lhasa was aimed at preventing the Russian Empire from interfering in Tibetan affairs and thus gaining a foothold in one of the buffer states surrounding British India. One of 157 photographs taken by Major MacCarthy Reagh Emmet Ray in Tibet, showing views, groups, artillery in action, camp at Gyantse and portraits, 1904.