Sketches of the British occupation of Cyprus

The sketches were supplied to the magazine by two officers, Lieutenant G. H. Lane of the 101 Regiment and Lieutenant W. J. Eastman of the Royal Marine Artillery. This collection of views appears as the frontispiece of the illustrated London News and comprises six sketches. Two depict ways of conveying baggage. On the upper left hand side, baggage is loaded on a wooden cart drawn by two oxen and led by a Turk. On the upper right hand side, a more orientalist view depicts a caravan of camels, led by a Turk on foot, the animals loaded with baggage. A palm tree adds to the atmosphere of the East. Just beneath the two sketches, there is a larger one of the British camp at Çiftlik Pasha location near Larnaca. At the distance, one can distinguish the Larnaca harbour full of sailing ships while at the foreground lie rows of white military tents. Groups of soldiers seem to discuss matters and take case of everyday chores. In a small sketch on the right, under a tree, is the grave of Sergeant M’Gaw, a veteran of the 42 Highlanders, who obtained the Victoria Cross for valour in the Ashantee war and who died in Cyprus of sunstroke. Two soldiers seem to be paying their respects. M’Gaw’s grave was later moved to the Kyrenia military cemetery and is presently in the British cemetery in Kyrenia. At the bottom left, is the Baffo Gate of Nicosia which was renamed in 1878 Minotaur Gate as it was first taken possession of by a detachment of Royal marines from H.M.S Minotaur on 12 August 1878. On the bottom right hand side, are the Turkish barracks occupied by part of the British force. The British flag hoisted there was constantly guarded by a sentry and saluted both morning and evening. [The London Illustrated News]